Steineded
How sad is this?
Claysaba
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
BelSports
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
Tymon Sutton
The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.
wes-connors
In 1969 Vietnam, handsome soldier Sam Worthington (as Darcy "Darce" Ryan) receives his release from war service. He goes home to live with the uncle who raised him as a son. Meanwhile, weighty gangster John Goodman (as Tony Testano) and his trigger-happy henchman Fred Williamson (as Sal Cassela) are dispatched from Chicago, USA to Sidney, Australia. Their mission is to take over the slot-machine racket run by crime boss Bryan Brown (as Barry Ryan) by infiltrating his organization. Experienced at killing people and blowing things up, Mr. Worthington's becomes Mr. Brown's young partner...Worthington could follow in his uncle's footsteps, or open his own pizzeria. A romantic subplot involves amorous Kestie Morassi (as Margaret), who so predictably switches partners you have to wonder what writer/director David Caesar intended. There is no real evidence, but perhaps Brown was trying to save his marriage to older, but still beautiful Toni Collette (as Sharon)...Not an Australian expert, but there isn't much here that looks like contemporary movies from 1969. Adept cinematographer Geoffrey Hall is employed to make up the difference by making the motion picture look like an aged Polaroid. It only makes you look for the "color restore" button. The original soundtrack is done well, but don't expect AC/DC's original "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" or a 1969 parade of hits. Direction and editing (by Mark Perry) do help keep it moving. Most elevated in the cast credits is Sam Neill (as Ray Murphy). There is something extra to see within the end credit roll.***** Dirty Deeds (7/18/02) David Caesar ~ Bryan Brown, Sam Worthington, John Goodman, Toni Collette
Max Easton (walking_cliche)
'Dirty Deeds' is a great Aussie film on par with top Aussie films such as 'Gettin Square' and 'Swimming Upstream' that hasn't received the respect that it deserves. This film is thoroughly entertaining, perfectly representing Australian culture and giving insight into 1960's Australia. Veteran Aussie actor Bryan Brown puts in a strong performance as hard arsed Barry Ryan with great performances by Toni Collette and John Goodman.Why the Australian people are so critical of films made in their own country continually shocks me. Yes, at times 'Dirty Deeds' was a tad predictable and the characters in the film were mere extensions of the actors themselves, but to the man on the street, this is a clever film with a strong sense of Aussie humour highlighted by it's setting in 1960's Australia.'Dirt Deeds' deserves an 8 out of 10. Two marks deducted for it's predictability and it's slightly disappointing ending thrown in as a 'feel good' denouement.See this for: the superb camera work, the bush jail, Toni Collette and Bryan Brown, the romantic tension between the four mains.
Stephiems8
Truly, when will we Australians ever stop wanting to sell this "ocker" cliche thing to the world? I think the world 'gets it already' right? It's like the writer got himself a copy of an "Aussie slang cliche" guide and applied EVERY slang cliche in the book in almost alphabetical order! I mean what's that all about? Even words that haven't been used since the 40's. I am 46 years old and I have lived the sixties and seventies in Australia. People JUST DIDN'T TALK LIKE THAT! Sure we would use the occasional slang phrase or two, but nothing like the amount coming out of Bryan Brown's mouth.Then the acting...Bryan Brown's character truly couldn't scare a chicken. He was trying to play the 'tough guy' instead he looked and acted more like an fast-talking and obnoxious ol'drunk! His scene in the gym was sad. He couldn't punch his way through a wet paper bag. His expression was'nt tough and menacing, rather one of frustration nad bitterness..The opening 'Vietnam scene was hilarious! Vietnam? more like Dubbo! Its squeeky clean cinematography made it look like a cheap ad for Pizza Hut. In fact most of the movie was shot like a television commercial with all it's cliche characteristics. The car chase was so badly shot. I'm sorry but cars racing at 15-20 kmph don't exactly put me at the edge of my seat. I've seen better car action on bumper car rinks.Sam Neil at his worst can't be good for his career. Tough corrupt cop? Right.John Goodman and offsider just as bad. Cardboard characters with zero dimension.Newcomer Sam Worthington needs a few years in acting school he DOES have an excuse.Toni Colette was ridiculous as Brown's wife. I must admit that did surprise me as I have always been impressed with her.The opening scene featuring Brown and crew with sledgehammers should have been alot more intense. They looked like a bunch of feeble old women as they smashed their way around the club. Half of them couldn't pick up the damn hammers. No impact whatsoever.
Overall besides being one of the silliest movies in Aussie Film history, this film lacked substance, story, dimension and direction.A most embarrasing and weak attempt at an Autralian 'Gangster movie'.
mab8485
Worth watching. OK acting by most characters and the story was entertaining. Maybe the ending was a little weak. Plenty of humour. "Two Hands' was preferred however as a similar style of Aussie gangster movie (also starring Bryan Brown) with more effective black humour with a darker plot.