Two Hands (1999)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Gregor Jordan

Writer:

Gregor Jordan (writer)

Release Date:

29 July 1999 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime

Tagline:

It seemed simple. Just deliver the cash.

Plot:

A 19 year old (Heath Ledger) finds himself in debt to a local gangster (Bryan Brown) when some gang loot disappears and sets him on the run from thugs...

Plot Keywords:

Shopping Spree | Gangster | Kicked In The Crotch | Radio Commentator | Monorail

Awards:

15 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Heath Ledger	...	Jimmy
Bryan Brown	...	Pando
David Field	...	Acko
Tom Long	...	Wally
Tony Forrow	...	Eddie
Steven Vidler	...	The Man (as Steve Vidler)
Dale Kalnins	...	Kiwi Bob
Kiri Paramore	...	Les / Origami Presenter
William Drury	...	Jesus Freak
David Moeaki	...	Louise
Mathew Wilkinson	...	Rocket
Rose Byrne	...	Alex
Mary Acres	...	Mrs. Jones
Evan Sheaves	...	Pete
Jarrah Darling	...	Aaron

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and pervasive language.

Runtime:

103 min | Germany:89 min (DVD version) (25 fps)

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Finland:K-15 (video rating) | Iceland:16 | Australia:MA | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | New Zealand:R16 | Spain:18 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bondi Beach, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Company:

CML Films

Trivia:

Acko and co (the "bad guys") drive a series of cars made by Ford whilst Wozza, Craig and Deidre (the "good guys") drive cars made by Holden. In reality, Ford and Holden are traditional rivals in the car industry and motor racing scene in Australia.

Quotes:

Wozza: Yeah shotties are good mate.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "A Current Affair: Heath Ledger Special" (2008)

American Gangsters wear Armani, Aussies Crims where shorts

The inspiration for this film was the fact that American Gangsters are well dresses, but the Aussies, well when you might kill a guy as soon as look at the blighter, then you can dress as badly as you want and people won't criticize you.

Jimmy is fighter, an illegal boxer, sometimes bouncer and is offered work by Pando, the local gangster boss in the cross (That is, Australia's notorious Kings Cross District, not the Cross of London fame as many a British backpacker finds out the hard way).

Due to feelings of love he stuffs up a job, loses a lot of money and has to get it to Pando before Pando and his heavies can kill him.

Lots of dark humour, interesting action, revelations about the Australia's underside and human nature. It is very centred in the Australian nature and explores the nature of Australian criminals (versus the American and British ones).

One problem is that each of the elements of the story don't have enough substance and depth, but it is a painting with broad strokes that covers a lot of area not covered previously, so as an overall package it is worthwhile.

Team it up with "Chopper" and "Dirty Deeds" for your Aussie Crime fest or "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Miller's Crossing" for an International falling short of the criminal gangs fest.

By the way, Bryan Brown is a great actor who has just done a huge number of really bad movies. Here is one of his great movies.