Matthew Vaughn’s debut film was inspired by Guy Ritchie: Imitation is often considered the first step towards innovation. Some individuals adhere to this theory, drawing inspiration from the best, while others strive to develop their own unique style. In the directorial niche, filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been an inspiration to many, contributing significantly to the evolution of the British crime genre through films like “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.”
Among his many admirers is renowned filmmaker Matthew Vaughn. Today, Vaughn is an established filmmaker in the cinematic world, and its credit goes to his dedication and hard work throughout his journey. Over the span of his career, he has delivered numerous incredible films and has become the recipient of various honors. A little credit for his successful career goes to Ritchie, as it was his films that became a source of inspiration for his directorial work. Vaughn made his filmmaking debut with the 2004 film, “Layer Cake,” which is not only marked as his breakthrough performance but is also highly influenced by Ritchie’s directorial treatment.
“Layer Cake” is a crime thriller film that follows the story of a London-based unnamed drug dealer, XXXX (played by Daniel Craig). After living a long life as a mafia of the underworld, XXXX finally decides to take retirement and leave his life as a criminal behind, but fate has different plans for him. Despite his intentions to quit his career as a drug distributor, the protagonist is dragged back as now he is compelled to deal with double-crossers, rivals, and shifting alliances.
The film was nothing less than a rollercoaster ride for the viewers. It offered them a stylish, energetic, but overall run-of-the-mill crime thriller with a convoluted, twisty plot. With an ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Tom Hardy, Michael Gambon, Colm Meaney, and Sienna Miller, the film was a critical and commercial success. It also made a significant contribution to Craig’s career, as his performance in “Layer Cake” led to his casting as James Bond in 2005.
If we closely observe the aesthetics of Vaughn’s film, we can see that it shares some similarities with Ritchie’s films. Like Ritchie’s films, “Layer Cake” also consists of elements like dark humor, quick-paced dialogue, and intricate plotlines. Moreover, the involvement of the ensemble star cast and the focus on the intricacies of the criminal industry draw parallels between Vaughn and Ritchie’s films.
Although Vaughn’s interpretation of his film may have been inspired by Ritchie’s work, he successfully managed to establish his own unique voice as an artist.
