In the opening sequence of Layer Cake, we see firstly a flashback to the beginnings of selling drugs in the criminal underworld. Then we meet X, Daniel Craig’s character (who isn’t given a name, and X’s are used in the credits) who we are shown is a brilliant drug dealer. He plans to retire, after making his £1,000,000. However, he is then told that he needs to see ‘Jimmy’ which starts the disequilibrium of the film.
The way the plot is set up is the use of flashbacks, where we see a bank robbery, some hippies taking drugs, and both groups meeting in prison. This is around the time drugs were seen as something new for criminals, and all of this uses graphic matches and match on action to show. There is also narration by Daniel Craig, which brings us up to speed on events. After this we see drugs being sold in a store, a time in the future, before they turn into pharmaceutical drugs, and this is the first shot we see of Daniel Craig. We can tell that he is the main character because of the way he moves, and that we see him clearly, whereas the robbers and hippie were not clear. The speech also tells us he is the main character. We then see him in his line of business, cutting and processing Heroin with a friend. At points it cross cuts to Amsterdam, where we see the opposite to X, a loud mouth hooligan who doesn’t respect police (he is seen kicking a police car), further showing some form of disequilibrium.
The character of X is introduced to be a nice guy, instead of just another petty criminal. They do this by saying that he won’t be around much longer, and also that he isn’t a user, due to the facemask he wears. He also appears to be quite likeable and trustworthy because of his rules, such as respecting the police and paying your associates, this means we can relate to him more. He also appears to be a businessman, not only in the drug world but outside it, he owns a letting company.
The style also helps the opening to ‘work’. There are lots of different camera techniques and ways in which the mis-en-scene work. This style means quick cuts and a better flow; we never stay in one location/time more than is needed. The use of graphic matches also helps explain the story, and characters quite well, something the introduction needs to be able to do in order to succeed and draw people in. By using graphic matches, we establish first criminals who steal from banks and shops. This becomes the drugged up hippies and how they are earning more but serving less. The criminals discover this because both sets of people are sent to the same prison. This manages to set the story up, as well as being aesthetically pleasing to the audience, and goes with the voiceover. The movement of the legalised to pharmaceutical drugs also brings us back to the real world, from X’s dream where he’ll no longer be needed.
As said before, the use of narration brings the audience up to speed on events, and what is happening in X’s life up until the film opening, so that we as the audience can understand him and how his mind works. The underlying music also helps to generate a calm feel while the past and parts in England are taking place. However when we cut to Amsterdam the music becomes more sinister, helping to show the disequilibrium which will happen here. This is also the same for the section where they are meeting Gene, who tells him that Jimmy wants to meet him. Again this shows the characters mood to the audience.
In conclusion, a mixture of camerawork, editing and location changes help make the introduction of Layer Cake work. It introduces us to both the films plot and characters very clearly, and gives the audience an indication of what will happen in the rest of the film.
No comments:
Post a Comment