Analysis of an Opening Sequence: Layer Cake
To start off the sequence, we hear the monologue of a possible character or just simply a narrator who says a statement about when he was a kid, life was much simpler. He then gives his opinion on life all those years ago, in which he says he “but it wasn’t for me”. At this point, we see thieves loading something into the back of a van, with another man pointing a gun at defenceless people. Could our narrator be telling us he deals in a much more complicated and dangerous business?
More hints are next given to us, slight unraveling this enigma. We see a scene of hippies in the 70’s. Our narrator says that “Hashish and LSD arrived on the scene”. This can lead the viewer on to believing that our narrator may possibly be involved in drugs. Then we see a 70’s prison and our narrator gives us a fact. Robbery of £10,000 gets you a 10 year sentence in prison, whereas smuggling £2million pounds worth of drugs only gets you 1 year in jail. It seems that our narrator is wanting to shift from robbing banks to smuggling drugs. Then an incredibly important sentence is said by our narrator; “Drugs changed everything.”This part of the sequence gives the viewer and insight into his lifestyle, although we don’t know who he is just yet. Then we see an incredibly effective scene of a series of counterfeit products on shelves, and our narrator is finally revealed. As he walks past each of the products, they change from drugs and illegal products, to normal items you’d find on a pharmacy shelf. This scene shows his mindset right now and how he used to love being in the drugs trade, but now he wants out.
We finally have proof of this, after he admits he isn’t a gangster, he’s a businessman. We can see this as he dresses smartly and he does not look in anyway like someone who deals with cocaine, which he confirms is what he trades. Then our character walks into a house and introduces his associates. The first character introduced is Clarky, who has a degree in Chemistry; another educated man you wouldn’t associate with drug crime. Then he gives us the stats of what dealing in cocaine can do to you in the modern day. From 10 months in prison in the 70’s to 15 years in prison. He knows times have changed, and makes sure he works to a few golden rules. We see how our narrator works using his cocaine and as other characters are introduced from Amsterdam; we can see this thanks to a subtitle. These people look common, unkempt people, the type you would say was, well a drug dealer. These people are the main enigma of the opening sequence. These people are identified as “loud, attention seeking wannabe gangsters in for the glory.” But why are they in Amsterdam and who exactly are they?
More characters are introduced, dressed in sharp suits, wise people making sure they don’t get caught. After the men all get their pay, they get ready to send the rest to their boss. The money is collected by the boss’ best friend, who says that he’d like to meet the men tomorrow for lunch. This is the main characters chance to get out of the trade. He knows now that’s too risky for him. We get another final glimpse at our main characters cleverness; he owns a share in a successful letting agency. He has his cover, his wealthy lifestyle, and the police don’t have a clue. To end this introduction of the plot, the main actor’s name (Daniel Craig) comes on the screen as he is entering his house, and we see the film’s title.
As the next actors are introduced, we see their characters drive past a golf course and into a regal looking mansion. The décor is clean, royal and exquisite, so it’s easy to expect that it would be expensive to dine there. We also get some subtitles of crew members which were Casting by…, Costume Design, Music Supervision by…, Music by…, Production Designer and Director of Photography. We are then introduced to the head of the drug group. As he is putting on his serviette to eat, we shift to the enigma of the opening sequence as they look at some drugs on a table. We then have Editor, Screenplay by…, Executive Producer, Produced by and finally, Directed By. To end the sequence we see the head of the group, smoking a cigar. This shows that he is one wealthy man.
