The Hard Word

The Hard Word (2002)

Genres - Comedy, Crime, Thriller  |   Sub-Genres - Caper, Crime Thriller  |   Release Date - Jun 13, 2003 (USA - Limited), Sep 13, 2003 (USA)  |   Run Time - 103 min.  |   Countries - Australia, United Kingdom  |   MPAA Rating - R
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Review by Todd Kristel

There's nothing remotely original about this caper flick filled with stock characters and cartoonish violence, but it's still fairly enjoyable until it becomes muddled near the end and degenerates into what seems like several different finales strung together. Guy Pearce, Damien Richardson, and Joel Edgerton provide engaging performances and manage to flesh out their less-than-complex roles as thieving siblings; Kate Atkinson and Rhondda Findleton both make a strong impression in small roles as a getaway driver and prison counselor, respectively; and while Rachel Griffiths doesn't provide any new twists on the femme fatale tradition, she seems to be enjoying herself even though her performance is somewhat wooden at times. Unfortunately, Robert Taylor doesn't add enough pizzazz to his role as a crooked lawyer to make him seem interesting, and his character's idea for the big heist is hardly the most clever plan ever shown in a motion picture. The movie isn't particularly suspenseful either, despite plenty of plot twists and double-crosses. But that isn't a fatal flaw since this film is played for laughs. Some of the humor seems forced, but enough of it works to make this film entertaining, although it's hardly a must see.