Fresh? Well on the domestic hand of things it is fresh. On the other
hand, the global hand, it has been seen before. However the interesting
thing about this film about a bunch of crooks, that go after a guy that
looses a pay roll has something that "Run Lola Run" and other
genre type films don't have, an Aussie accent and colourful language. On
one hand this is a crime film, on the other hand, as MTV's Sundance special
reported earlier this year, it is a horror film. Take this film for what
it is. A romp through the abnormal, a skip through the never never. And
you'll come out giving the film 5 stars. But I could give you the same
advice about any film you saw.
Filmed in NSW with VIC money (and beer), Gregor Jordan shows us early
what he wants to achieve. Simply HOLLYWOOD. The casting for the main role
was Heath Ledger an actor who was in Hollywood at the time. However without
getting to nit-picky what were the great things about this film. A lot
of people have said that Bryan Brown as Pando made seeing this film worth
it. But honestly the character IMO was underused about as much as Darth
MAul and I feared him about as much as flicked cigarette. But there were
tougher villains, the name Acko (David Field: Ghosts of the Civil Dead)
brought with it something tougher than PANDO. I guess because Acko kills
some one.
Unfortunately the Adverts I saw were too long and stole all the greatest
lines from the film, but I still managed to crack up laughing. Especially
when it comes to the cheap shot the film has at commercial radio stations.
However the 2nd underlying storyline is not shown in any trailer so the
ending although not unexpected will not be lost in the trailers.
Don't buy the soundtrack until you have seen the film, or you might
end up like me, tapping along to the tunes while missing some of the action
on screen. In parts it lead me to ask myself whether or not Jordan had
made film-clips. The Music kept pace brilliantly with what was on screen,
top and tail of this film. The Opening credit (Belter- Powderfinger) were
nothing short of Amazing.
There were plenty of film references littered throughout this film.
My fav would have to be the very, "Blue Velvet" like scene where
Pando and co. takes Jimmy for a ride, and on the CHRSYLER CHARGER's stereo
we hear "This Guys in Love" by The Reels.
The fact that it was the first film since "BABE" to make it
to number 1 in Australia should send out a message to the AFC and FILM
AUSTRALIA exactly what the audience wants to see. An action film full of
car chases, guns and MONEY. Just like a Hollywood film. However I doubt
that we will see another "Two Hands" in Australia, because directors
as good ad Gregor Jordan, will have no reason to stay in Australia to further
their career, unless some HUGE Aussie Production studio opens up over night
we will loose him much the same as we lost, Miller, Noyce, Beresford and
Weir.
It's hard to say whether or not I would have like this film if it was
released by some Hollywood company. I think I'm just being nationalistic
when I say I like it. But I really enjoyed this film. Even though I'm sick
of seeing Sydney is Australian films. However I know in the past year I
have seen short films made on tinier budgets in Brisbane that would be
on a par with "Two Hand" or put it to shame. But why compare
tomatoes to Potatoes? All up because of Pando's character being hyped up
by other reviewers and not living up to expectations, and the simple fact
that the character Alex (Rose Byrne: Stygian [from memory that was kings
cross as well], Echo Point) brought in that stinking old Australian film
theme of BUSH and CITY. I can only find a A- in my heart for this film.
Overall it was a GOOD USE OF HOLDEN.
A-
, 1998-1999.