Two Hands **** (1999, Heath Ledger, Bryan Brown, Rose Byrne, Susie Porter, David Field, Steven Vidler, Tom Long, Tony Forrow, Dale Kalnins) – Classic Movie Review 624

‘It seemed simple. Just deliver the cash.’ The 20-year-old Heath Ledger makes a strong early impression on his way to stardom in writer-director Gregor Jordan’s taut, atmospheric, flashy-looking little 1999 Australian lowlife urban crime thriller.

He plays young hothead Jimmy, who finds himself battling the local gangster he’s working for, Sydney drug dealer Pando (Bryan Brown). Stopping off on the beach at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Ledger loses the gang loot stash he’s supposed to be delivering for Brown, who then sets his goons after Ledger when he goes on the run. A couple of street kids find the dough and start a shopping spree, while Ledger hangs out with the romantically inclined country girl Alex (Rose Byrne).

A gritty and stylish and enjoyable movie, it’s tensely directed and well shot and edited. Perhaps there is nothing particularly new here, except for Ledger’s fresh performance. But Brown and Byrne give eye-catching performances too, and Malcolm McCulloch’s cinematography and Cezary Skubiszewski’s score are notable.

It was the 1999 Australian Film Institute award winner for Best Film, Best Direction (Gregor Jordan), Best Screenplay (Gregor Jordan), Best Supporting Performance (Bryan Brown) and Best Editing (Lee Smith). Ledger was nominated as Best Actor and Susie Porter as Best Supporting Actress. Also in the cast are David Field, Steven Vidler, Tom Long, Tony Forrow and Dale Kalnins.