Writer/Director: Gregor Jordan
Producer: Marian MacGowan
Director of Photography: Malcolm McCulloch
Editor & Sound Designer: Lee Smith
Composer Cezary Skubiszewski
Production Designer: Steven Jones-Evans
Music Supervisor: Chris Gough
Jimmy: Heath Ledger
Alex: Rose Byrne
Acko: David Field
Dierdre: Susie Porter
Pando: Bryan Brown
Wally: Tom Long |
You've seen "Pulp Fiction" and "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", now it's time to see an Australian-take on this popular blend of black comic violence - "Two Hands".
"Two Hands" has been blitzing its rivals at the box office since its recent release. Popularity doesn't always equate with quality but in this case it does... you certainly won't regret the price of your ticket.
Jimmy (the hunk - Heath Ledger) is an amateur boxer and a bouncer at a strip club in Sydney's Kings Cross. He's attracted to the thought of "making the big time" and working for Pando, played in his inimitable style by Bryan Brown in a role that is just perfect for him. Jimmy gets his chance, but muffs it. He fails to deliver Pando's $10,000 - no one answers the door when he knocks - and then trying to fill in some time before the person's return, he loses the money on Bondi Beach.
Pando is not a forgiving boss, as Jimmy's older brother could have told him were he still alive. The naive and "honest" Jimmy runs to his sister-in-law, Dierdre (Susie Porter), in an effort to buy time so that he can find a way of paying Pando back his money. Add to the mix two savvy street kids who have filched Jimmy's money and are enjoying a spending spree, and a love interest and Jimmy is placed in a classic predicament - should he follow his head or his heart; should he play it straight and honest, or make lots of money!
"Two Hands" is a first feature by writer/director Gregor Jordan. It has a good script, lots of self-deprecating Aussie humour, generally strong performances, plenty of violence and a liberal sprinkling of the F-word. The two older women sitting next to me found this very off-putting to begin with, but before long they were barracking for Jimmy with "Good on you!"s "Don't do it!"s.
Be prepared for a fun ride accompanied by the music of Cezary Skubiszewski and Powderfinger.
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