Two Hands (1999)

A young man is on the run from gangsters who are trying to collect money owed them; meanwhile, the missing loot is found by two street smart kids who go on a shopping spree.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 6-DEC-2005
Media Type: DVD Product Description

The film that restored my faith in Australian cinema

Strip-club pusher, Jimmy (Heath Ledger), wants to get in with Sydney crime boss Pando (Bryan Brown), but when he finally gets his chance, things don't go to plan. Jimmy loses $10,000 of Pando's money and had to find a way of getting it back fast before Pando and his goons catch up with him.

"Two Hands" is not just the best Australian movie I have ever seen, but it is one of the best movies made in any country that I have ever seen. The script of this movie is just so good. Sure, it is violent and about one third of the dialogue is made up of four-letter words, but structurally, the script is brilliant. Everything in the script has a purpose and it is fun to watch how a seemingly insignificant detail from the start of the film can pay-off in the second half. The characters in this film are also extremely well written. Writer/director Gregor Jordan doesn't just focus on Jimmy and Pando but shows all sides of the Sydney criminal community and gives Jimmy and Pando depth by showing us their families and friends. The contrast between Pando's home-life and his job is just hilarious. These characters don't feel like your standard movie criminals, they feel like real people. And finally, the acting is pretty good too. This is the film that gave Heath Ledger his big break and I can see why Hollywood started offering him film roles after this.

Australian cinema is notoriously bad. It is not uncommon to meet Australian's who just plain refuse to watch any movies made here and for a while, I was one of those people. Then I saw "Two Hands" (I watched it because Gregor Jordan also made "Buffalo Soldiers", which is one of my favourite movies) and I decided to give Australian cinema a second chance. If you are one of those people, you should give it a second chance, too, starting with "Two Hands".
June 10, 2008

One of Heath's best

This movie is doesn't seem to come with the high and artsy aspirations of, say, a "Brokeback Mountain," but as far as I'm concerned, it ranks as one of Heath Ledger's best movies. Heath isn't the only laudable element; the other actors and actresses all do very well, fully supported by a good, solid script, good soundtrack, as well as nice work by the director and cinematographer. May 20, 2008

Two Hands

The movie Two Hands was an action pact movie that kept you going from the minute you started watching it till the end. Heath Ledger's acting is legend. May 12, 2008

Heath Ledger, a star gone too soon

Two Hands stars the late and talented Heath Ledger. I didn't know what to expect of this and was somewhat optimistic about liking it. Surprisingly enough, I found it very entertaining. It is full of action and keeps you on your toes as to what will happen next. There are parts that are quite funny; like the $10,000 contest for having a radio station sticker on your car.. Karma plays a major role in this movie... I would recommend this to anyone looking to be entertained. April 6, 2008

Unexpectedly good

A great Australian move that depicts the low life with wry humor. Heath Ledger plays his role with sympathy for the character without becoming at all sentimental. The inclusion of the dead brother character was a little weird but in keeping with the tongue-in-cheek nature of the film. If you like action films that poke fun at violence then you'll enjoy this film. March 29, 2008

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