Two Hands is an "Australian gangster comedy" (as Heath describes it (1). Heath plays Jimmy, a hot, tender and simple guy mixed up with the Sydney mafia. Heath describes Jimmy as "a young guy that ... is growing up all his life in The Cross. His mum maybe was a prostitute ... his father is dead maybe ... basically he is in a world where he believes that this is his only path in life ... he meets a lovely young lady, Alex, and she opens his eyes and let's him see that there's another light at the end of the tunnel" (2). Two Hands, a film alla Tarantino and, for some moments, alla Jim Jarmusch, was the first movie filmed and based on Kings Cross (Sydney's red-light district): "It's something that we haven't really seen in Australia ... the gangster side of Sydney ... we see it on the Godfather, we see them driving around in their Rolls-Royces, but we don't see the Australian godfathers in their stubby shorts and singlets (3) drinking VBs (4) ..." (5). The film is funny, strong and cool (without counting the "zombie scenes", which I didn't like at all), and the director (Gregor Jordan) and cast surrounding Heath (Bryan Brown, David Field and Rose Byrne) are amazing. Heath got a Best actor in a Leading Role nomination in the Australian Film Institute. (1) Heath Ledger Interview. Two Hands (1999) -Look for the link in YouTube- (2) Heath Ledger Interview. Two Hands (1999) (3) British & Australian: A sleeveless garment worn under or instead of a shirt (4) Victoria Bitter: one of the highest selling beers in Australia (5) Heath Ledger Interview. Two Hands (1999)

Something was missing here. On the whole Two Hands was low on something. It feels very Americaniz'd. Not really a word but I'll use it. Some bits of it are very inventive like Ledger's dead brother giving his monologue at the start. It has a good mixture of humor and action, and I really did feel the intensity of Ledger's predicament, like walking in his shoes, where there were some really intensely scary moments. But even though I did like the film, I didn't feel like there was much holding it together, as really the story is in no way in original, but it is fun, the way the movie's told, though I couldn't help feel this, was borrowing from other pics, especially as far as Tarantino territory was concerned. The humor I will say was many a thing I liked, which included Field's gun backfiring on him (shouldn't of put them in the wash, Dave) + that 35 year old woman slow carking it. Two Hands is tasty though and and as a Summer treat, I really felt that fear Ledger, was feeling when running from the guns. As Pando, I would say this was Brown's best ever singular acting performance, where he has reached his height as this murderous and notorious crime figure. One guy who works the Cross, and one guy you don't ever wanna cross. Ledger was so so, while bubbly Byrne was better as the love interest, where the other smaller performers impressed, especially Pando's mob. Yes Two Hands is still a pumped up watch, but really doesn't earn enough status, where I wouldn't feel comfortable as passing off as good. Great opening credit sequence, as well as Ledger's shock admission at the end, about never boarding a plane, which was a killer end of dialogue.

"Two Hands" is an entertaining, funny story about Australian lowlifes. The screenplay contrasts the world of fast money and deadly acts with the inexplicability of fate and circumstance. In a subtle way we are asked to ponder the concept that major events in our lives are sometimes generated without our being fully aware of the root causes. The forces of fate and circumstance take Jimmy, the main character, into situations that bring about the realization of his shallow dreams and, ultimately, an understanding of a more personally promising world.The clueless Jimmy, portrayed with acumen by Heath Ledger, is a kid who grew up without opportunity. The high paying world of crime offers the greatest appeal to his blunted senses. The love and help of friends guides him to a higher plateau.The film is well-directed and well-acted. The band of criminals teeter between likable and despicable, keeping us interested in their crazy antics all through the film.

I had never heard of this movie, but I like Heath Ledger and Bryan Brown and the story sounded interesting, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I found it to be very enjoyable. Heath Ledger plays a 19 year old who works a kind of crappy job and wants to start making some serious dough, so he goes and asks for work from mobster Bryan Brown. I won't go into details but things go very bad for Ledger and gets into big trouble with Bryan Brown. From their on the movie just gets better and better, with one scene involving Ledger hooking up with a pair of bank robbers. And lets not forget the beautiful Rose Byrne, who plays Ledger's love interest. I would definitely recommend this movie.