Movie Reviews

Dirty Deeds
directed by David Casar

About the Film
Sydney - 1969. Crime is cool, cops are crooked and 20 bucks buys you a whole night out. For Barry (Bryan Brown), life is sweet. He runs the girls, the clubs and the illegal casinos, and not even crooked Detective Ray (Sam Neill) dares to stand in his way.

Barry's wife Sharon (Toni Collette) wears the pants, his mistress Margaret (Kestie Morassi) wears him out and his wide-eyed nephew Darcy (Sam Worthington) is learning just how cosy business can be.

When the Mafia dispatch two Chicago hoods (John Goodman, Felix Williamson) to muscle in on his action, Barry's life takes a dramatic turn. His mistress starts making eyes at Darcy, his wife becomes suspicious and the Yanks won't take no for an answer - BIG MISTAKE.

Barry decides to give the Yanks a lesson in outback hospitality.

Sheila's Review
This Australian film was bloody marvelous mate. Starring the talented Bryan Brown, Toni Collette (this sheila sure does play a range of cool roles), John Goodman (a mob guy with a heart in this film), Sam Neill (a Kiwi, but a great actor anyway), Sam Worthington, Felix Williamson and Ketsie Morassi.

Set in 1969 in Sydney and the outback, this film had an excellent wardrobe and set dressers. The story line and actors where fabulous as well. Based loosely on a true story of Australian mobsters running the slot machines in Sydney we are entertained with shoot ‘em up action and lively off-the-wall, characters. The Yanks try to move in on their territory and all hell breaks loose.

The comic dialogue and mob adventures are sure to keep you laughing and will make you a fan of Aussie cinema. This one will be a classic.

~Sheila, September 2002


Trixie's Review
What a great way for us to kick off the Festival. The cast was superb, and the story had me intrigued throughout. All in all this was hell of a comedic crime caper. This is one film that I hope gets US distribution. I believe the film is already playing in Australia, and opens in New Zealand in October. A definite must-see.

On a side note I must comment on the Q and A after the screening. If I didn't already love Bryan Brown, his participation would have been the clincher. He was extremely gracious and funny. You could tell that he and the cast are proud of this film. They have every reason.

~Trixie, September 2002

Links
Dirty Deeds Official Site

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