DVD Movie Review: Two Hands Starring Heath Ledger and Bryan Brown

If you like action thriller type movies, then Two Hands, an Australian gangster movie starring Heath Ledger, is worth putting on your movie list. It is a dark comedy that manages to take a well-worn plot idea and turn it into something fresh and unpredictable. The ending is a surprise and ties the whole story together beautifully. I won't spoil the movie for you in this review, so you can read on.

The movie tagline reads: It seemed simple. Just deliver the cash.

Jimmy (played by Heath Ledger) makes only one mistake, but it was a big one. Jimmy seems to be about 18 or 19 years old but has the intelligence of a distracted teenager in lust. He seems more focused on the smaller picture rather than the big picture and also being a bit naive, doesn't realize the ramifications of burying an envelope of money on the beach while he goes for a short swim a few yards away. He thinks it is safe, but it isn't. By the time he is enlightened, it is too late and he is in a world of trouble. But hey, he wasn't too smart getting involved with criminal activity in the first place. Then again, Jimmy and his naiveté leads us to believe he really didn't think he was doing anything wrong. Now he has to either go on the run or figure out how to raise 10 thousand Australian Dollars in a hurry. Neither is easy and his panic sets the tone of making even more mistakes.

The movie is fairly fast paced and engaging. Although violent, it is not gory and the violence is not overdone like most American movies, it is balanced just enough for the viewer to realize the seriousness of consequences and the chain reaction it creates. Violence begets more violence and it's hard to think straight in the midst of it all. You'll have to be on your toes to catch all the Australian accented dialogue, but there are some powerful speaking lines and the acting is outstanding and impressive. The characters are quirky and realistic. Jimmy isn't the only one who makes some mistakes, but these gangsters make some doozies that will have you laughing at how STOOOOPID someone can be. It comes off believable and Two Hands has the unique twists and artistic telling that is reminds you of a Quentin Tarantino movie, in spirit. Gregor Jordan was both the director and writer, and it is clear he cleverly worked out the details of how the movie progressed and intensified. Australian Actor Bryan Brown, who plays the head gangster, performs brilliantly and the whole cast has the chemistry and energy that just works for this genre and this story.

Two Hands is adrenaline rush and comic relief and an enjoyable film all rolled up into one. The bank robbery scene in Two Hands is entertaining and fresh. I wouldn't call it a great movie, but I would call it memorable and worth watching. Heath Ledger appears to be a rising star. He impressed me in The Brothers GRIMM, A Knight's Tale, and was magnificent in Casanova, a movie that exceeded my expectations because I was expecting fluff. Two Hands has a Karmic ending and is filled with subtle ironies. The movie title has several meanings that connect with the story as well.
Add Two Hands to your DVD movie list if you haven't already. The actors shine.

Cast: Heath Ledger, Rose Byrne, Bryan Brown, David Field, Susie Porter, Tom Long, Tony Forrow, Mariel McClorey, Evan Sheaves, Steven Vidler
Director: Gregor Jordan
Producer: Marian MacGowan
Screenplay: Gregor Jordan
Cinematography: Malcolm McCulloch
Music: Chris Gough
Running time: 92 minutes
Australian theatrical release: July 29, 1999

Bryan Brown Filmography
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000986/

Heath Ledger Filmography
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005132/

Rose Byrne Filmography

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126284/

Two Hands Cast
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145547/