Layer Cake and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels Case Study

Layer Cake - Case Study




Director - Matthew Vaughn

Realase Date - 1 October 2004

Genre - Crime Drama Thriller

Awards - 3 wins and 8 nominations - including Best British Director and Best British Actor

Opening Scene



Layer Cake uses a internal monologue which is read by Daniel Craig, the main character. Using the monologue in the film allows Daniel to tell you a little bit of background information on him and what he does. He mentions about how 'it was all just cops on robber' when he was born, which later turned onto drugs. His opinion on drugs is that there is a lot of money to be made and he seems himself as a 'business man who's commodity happens to be cocaine.'
Contently flashing through the scene are images of police, guns, sex and drugs. This appeals to mainly a male audience and is linked with the main characters bring male. The mise en scene


Introducing you to his risky and illegal lifestyle the audience watch on preparing for the high action. The film is a crime-thriller because of the drugs and illegal activity.

During the opening the camera peers in through the shut blind in the window of where Daniel Craig is. This makes it clear that it is a secret buisness and makes the audience feel like there in on the secret.

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Case Study




Director - Guy Ritchie

Release Date - 28 August 1998

Genre - Comedy Crime Thriller

Awards - 13 wins and 6 nominations

Opening Scene


The opening scene shows you a confident man selling stolen goods for knock of prices, similar to Only fools and horses which adds to the typically british atmosphere. The mise en scene is an unglamourous corner of a street which is a convention of the thriller genre. Similarly to Layer Cake the film makes the audience aware that it is a crime-thriller such as running from the police. During their getaway an internal monologue comes in, 'His real talent lies in cards and gambling cards.' This introduces you to the fact that there will be gambling during the film. 'Bacon could see that his days of selling stolen goods on street corners are numbered'. The monologue introduces you to there names and a little bit of background information. Bacon obviously does a lot of 'dodgy dealing' and is narrowly escaping getting caught.

This over the shoulder shot makes the audience feel involved as if they are there as he sells the stolen goods.

The music kicks in when they start running and adds to the pace and drama. The panning shots of them running away also adds to the pace of the chase and makes the scene more lively. This connotes the pace of life that the characters may have.

The film was produced by Matthew Vaughn who may have learnt from this film and inspire him to go and direct Layer Cake.