TWO HANDS

"Dynamite from start to finish, Two Hands is a red hot, surefire winner from multi-talented writer/director Gregor Jordan. From the explosive opening credits through the twists and turns of the plot (the screenplay is superb), Jordan establishes the characters solidly and impressively. Visually compelling, there are delightful touches throughout – you never quite know what to expect. It's fresh, it's funny, it's black, and the performances are tops. Bryan Brown excels as the local crime boss, toying with the role with relish, exemplifying the film's observation that no-one is 100% bad, nor 100% good. Rising star Heath Ledger carries the load of the central character easily and with charm, while the very photogenic Rose Byrne impresses with a fascinating and compelling screen presence. The chemistry between Ledger and Byrne is magnetic and the two younger kids are also a standout. Much of the pleasure of this film comes from Jordan's skill making us anticipate what is going to happen next. Structure, editing and character development are a part of it, but the ease with which he switches from light to shade, bleak to humorous is constantly apparent. There's enjoyment in watching the story unwind, while the supernatural elements add additional dimension and complexity. Piercing the heart of Two Hands is a simple truth, a wry observation of human nature - being accountable for one single action that snowballs into an avalanche. An absolute delight from start to finish, Two Hands is satisfying entertainment – a charming, fresh, black and clever Australian film from a film maker going places in a hurry. Use your two hands and buy a ticket."
Louise Keller

"This may well be another outstanding year for Australian cinema, and Two Hands is skilful and engaging as anything likely to come out of Hollywood. Two Hands is a gangster film, but lo and behold, it's far from derivative. Rather than try and emulate an American genre, writer/director Gregor Jordan has imposed the genre into a uniquely Australian perspective. These are sly, Ocker gangsters, tough as hell, with family responsibilities, who play scrabble and chess with each other, or Origami with their kids. Here is a film that succeeds in mixing a deft concoction of styles, without losing sight of its narrative fluidity. It's a sharp black comedy, a farce (a robbery scene which is hilarious), a romance, a thriller and of course the classically structured gangster film. All of which are masterfully directed by this dazzling first-time feature director, who not only effortlessly displays skills here as a visually impressive movie director, but his detail of character is brilliant. Performances are all incomparable. Star-on-the rise Hearth Ledger is both attractive and charming, the perfect matinee combination, as the naïve would-be crim and spruiker, Jimmy. He is also a deft dramatic actor with a charismatic screen presence not seen in the Australian cinema since Russell Crowe. As for Bryan Brown, his penchant for wry, understated comedy is evident here, playing the uncompromising, scrabble-playing gangster with immeasurable skill. This is Brown's most astonishing performance since Breaker Morant, naturalistic but witty and clever. The film also introduces us to Rose Byrne as amateur photographer Alex who falls for the hapless Jimmy. Though her role is a tad underwritten, Byrne makes the best of it and shows herself to be a radiant and gifted actress. Two Hands is full of those little moments that make a film, moments that shine and resonate. There's a delightful scene featuring a get together of would-be bank robbers that is deliciously laconic, balanced against a powerful subplot featuring two homeless kids. Two Hands is simply a wonderfully entertaining and refreshing work, one that is exciting and a lot of fun all at once. It's bound to be one of the most talked about Aussie films of the year."
Paul Fischer