'LAYER CAKE' OFFERS BRUTAL SLICE OF BRIT GANGSTER LIFE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

THE STYLISH BRIT gangster knock-off ``Layer Cake'' arrives in the States on the heels of rumors suggesting that its star, Daniel Craig, will be chosen to replace Pierce Brosnan as the next James Bond. Judging from evidence here (not to mention his knockout turns last year in ``Enduring Love'' and ``The Mother''), it's clear that Craig possesses the kind of iconic presence to make a great 007, provided producer Barbara Broccoli shakes (not just stirs, thank you) up the formula and allows the old man a bit of breathing room.

Aside from Craig's potent mix of dry wit and innate ruthlessness, a handful of scenery-chewing supporting turns and some glorious shots of Sienna Miller in the sexpot role, ``Layer Cake'' doesn't offer much that we haven't seen before. It's the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, who produced Guy Ritchie's ``Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'' and ``Snatch,'' and it doesn't venture far from those movies' self-conscious wordiness and rat-a-tat-tat violence.

Craig plays the unnamed protagonist, a low-profile, level-headed (so he thinks) drug dealer, the consummate professional looking for one last big score before sailing off into the sunset. Naturally, it's not going to be that simple. His Machiavellian boss (Kenneth Cranham) has a couple of favors to ask, which soon puts the Man With No Name in a brutal crossfire between associates whose alliances are often as inscrutable as their English accents.

There's the requisite cool-headed voice-over comparing mob culture to any other capitalistic enterprise (``I'm not a gangster, I'm a businessman,'' Craig coolly announces) and the brutal violence set to catchy pop tunes. (The movie's most vivid set piece features a pot of tea - this is England, after all - and Duran Duran's ``Ordinary World.'')

Yes, it's a dying genre and ``Layer Cake'' isn't going to do anything to revive it. Still, there are a few nice touches, like the phone sex scene between Craig and Miller (a tip of the hat - one of many - to Mike Hodges' ``Get Carter'') and Michael Gambon managing to put yet another spin on his forte - imposing men who wear the mantle of power heavily.

And, of course, Craig's roguish, collected charm, which, if it doesn't ultimately land him Bond, deserves to be seen in a similarly high-profile project.

Glenn Whipp, [phone]

glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com

LAYER CAKE - Two and one half stars

(R: strong brutal violence, sexuality, nudity, pervasive language and drug use)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Michael Gambon.

Director: Matthew Vaughn.

Running time: 1 hr. 50 min.

Playing: Laemmle's Town Center 5 in Encino; Laemmle's Playhouse 7 in Pasadena; Laemmle's Monica in Santa Monica; Laemmle's Sunset 5 in West Hollywood; AMC Century 14 in Century City.

In a nutshell: Another brutally violent British gangster flick is distinguished by Daniel Craig's magnetic lead turn.

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Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller give some forward momentum to the brutal crime drama ``Layer Cake.''