Two Hands
Encyclopedia
Two Hands is a 1999 Australia
n crime film
, written and directed by Gregor Jordan
. The film stars Heath Ledger
as Jimmy, a young man in debt to Pando, a local gangster, played by Bryan Brown
and also stars Mariel McClorey, Evan Sheaves
, Susie Porter
, and Rose Byrne
. It won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film
in 1999. It was filmed in 1998 but was not released in Australia until 29 July 1999. Before its release, it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival
in the United States
but was not released to DVD in the US until December 2005.
, starting in the red light district
of Kings Cross
. Jimmy, while working at a strip club, is approached by local mob boss Pando who says he has work for him. Pando gives Jimmy $10,000 to deliver to a woman in Bondi
, and when she appears not to be home, he goes for a swim on the beach. Unfortunately the $10,000 is stolen by street kids while he is swimming, leaving him heavily indebted to the understandably furious Pando and his gang.
The car Jimmy was using on the job—a Ford Falcon
belonging to Pando's associate Acko—is stolen by a young man and taken to a mechanic with the intention to sell the car. The mechanic happens to be a friend of Acko's, who, displeased at the news of his car being stolen, suspects Jimmy's involvement.
Jimmy comes up with a plan to pay off the debt by robbing a bank the next day in Bankstown, New South Wales
along with two others. The night before he arranges to meet new friend and love interest Alex (Rose Byrne
) at a pub. Unfortunately the meeting's arrangements are heard by Les, a friend jealous of Alex's attraction to Jimmy and keen to get in with Pando's gang. After informing the gang of the couple's whereabouts, Jimmy is forced to flee the pub with Alex, attempting to escape on the Sydney Monorail
, however the escape proves unsuccessful and Jimmy is taken to a remote location where the gang plan to kill him. Through the indirect intervention of Jimmy's dead brother (who acts as a guardian angel figure throughout the film), Jimmy is able to escape alive, and make his way back home to prepare for the bank robbery.
The robbery is not without its problems, as the getaway driver is killed by the police but is on the whole successful. Jimmy gets the money he needs, escaping in a stolen Toyota Celica
with his remaining accomplice. Ironically, the stolen auto's radio station bumper sticker is spotted by that station's competition team, who give chase attempting to award Jimmy a $10,000 prize. In anger, and not wanting to be identified after the robbery, Jimmy rams them off the road.
Jimmy returns to Pando's office to pay off his debt, but thinking he has a gun the gang once again attempt to kill him. Luckily he is able to give them the money before he is killed, and is now offered more work by Pando for his impressive performance escaping the gang on their first attempt to kill him. Jimmy leaves in disgust after pulling a gun on Pando. As Jimmy leaves, one of the street kids passes Jimmy, and in retaliation for the death of her friend shoots Pando and all his mates. The movie ends with Jimmy and Alex buying tickets at an airport to a location 'up north'
, away from the pressures of life in Sydney.
single "These Days
", the video for which was compiled with footage from Two Hands. Other songs were mostly contributed by Australian artists. Cezary Skubiszewski
also contributed original music to the soundtrack
and Brown
, and that always-welcome air of offbeat Aussie attitude'. On its release in July 1999, many critics were calling it the 'Australian Goodfellas'. Pete Cascaldi from ABC.Net claimed 'Two Hands is a beautifully written and executed, fast and sexy street-wise romp through inner city villainy. Sporting the perfect cast, it's the story of innocence and the "hardway" colliding with a mix of brutality, gentility and just a little mysticism' and praising the director, 'Jordan delivers in Two Hands a tale that will more than tickle your fancy and touch your heart'.
:
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
Stockholm Film Festival
Nominated: Bronze Horse (Gregor Jordan)
Queensland Premier's Literary Awards
Won: Film Script - the Pacific Film and Television Commission Award (Gregor Jordan
)
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n crime film
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
, written and directed by Gregor Jordan
Gregor Jordan
Gregor Jordan is an Australian film director.Jordan's films include Two Hands , Buffalo Soldiers , and Ned Kelly . He has also directed the concert video These Days: Live in Concert by Australian rock band Powderfinger.His film Two Hands won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction...
. The film stars Heath Ledger
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
as Jimmy, a young man in debt to Pando, a local gangster, played by Bryan Brown
Bryan Brown
Bryan Neathway Brown, AM is an Australian actor.-Early life:Brown was born in Sydney, the son of John Brown and Molly Brown, a house cleaner who worked as a pianist in the early days of the Langshaw School of Ballet. He grew up in the south-western Sydney suburb of Bankstown and began working at...
and also stars Mariel McClorey, Evan Sheaves
Evan Sheaves
Evan Sheaves is an American actor.Sheaves starred in an episode of the hit American TV series, Farscape. He starred in the episode "Incubator", where he played the character Scorpius as a child...
, Susie Porter
Susie Porter
Susie Porter is a multiple award winning Australian television and film actress.-Television:Susie Porter began her acting career in one episode of House Gang, a short lived television program. She then had small roles in other Australian television programs in the late 1990s, including Big Sky,...
, and Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne
Mary Rose Byrne is an Australian actress.Byrne made her screen debut in 1994 with a small role in the film Dallas Doll...
. It won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film
Australian Film Institute Award for Best Film
This page lists the winners and nominees for the AACTA Award for Best Film since its institution in 1958. The award is presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts , an organisation which promotes the Australian film industry. Since the 1958 Australian Film Awards the...
in 1999. It was filmed in 1998 but was not released in Australia until 29 July 1999. Before its release, it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
but was not released to DVD in the US until December 2005.
Plot
Two Hands is set in locations around SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, starting in the red light district
Red Light District
Red Light District may refer to:* Red-light district - a neighborhood where prostitution is common* The Red Light District - the title of the 2004 album by rapper Ludacris* Red Light District Video - a pornography studio based in Los Angeles, California...
of Kings Cross
Kings Cross, New South Wales
Kings Cross is an inner-city locality of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located approximately 2 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Sydney...
. Jimmy, while working at a strip club, is approached by local mob boss Pando who says he has work for him. Pando gives Jimmy $10,000 to deliver to a woman in Bondi
Bondi Beach, New South Wales
Bondi Beach is a popular beach and the name of the surrounding suburb in Sydney, Australia. Bondi Beach is located 7 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Waverley Council, in the Eastern Suburbs...
, and when she appears not to be home, he goes for a swim on the beach. Unfortunately the $10,000 is stolen by street kids while he is swimming, leaving him heavily indebted to the understandably furious Pando and his gang.
The car Jimmy was using on the job—a Ford Falcon
Ford Falcon (Australia)
The Ford Falcon is a full-size car which has been manufactured by Ford Australia since 1960. Each model from the XA series of 1972 onward has been designed, developed and built in Australia and/or New Zealand, following the phasing out of the American Falcon of 1960–71 which had been re-engineered...
belonging to Pando's associate Acko—is stolen by a young man and taken to a mechanic with the intention to sell the car. The mechanic happens to be a friend of Acko's, who, displeased at the news of his car being stolen, suspects Jimmy's involvement.
Jimmy comes up with a plan to pay off the debt by robbing a bank the next day in Bankstown, New South Wales
Bankstown, New South Wales
Bankstown is a suburb of south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Bankstown is located 20 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre of the local government area of the City of Bankstown.-History:Prior to European...
along with two others. The night before he arranges to meet new friend and love interest Alex (Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne
Mary Rose Byrne is an Australian actress.Byrne made her screen debut in 1994 with a small role in the film Dallas Doll...
) at a pub. Unfortunately the meeting's arrangements are heard by Les, a friend jealous of Alex's attraction to Jimmy and keen to get in with Pando's gang. After informing the gang of the couple's whereabouts, Jimmy is forced to flee the pub with Alex, attempting to escape on the Sydney Monorail
Sydney Monorail
The Metro Monorail is a single-loop Von Roll MkIII monorail in the city of Sydney, Australia, that connects Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the Sydney central business and shopping districts. There are eight stations on 3.6 km of track, with four trains operating simultaneously...
, however the escape proves unsuccessful and Jimmy is taken to a remote location where the gang plan to kill him. Through the indirect intervention of Jimmy's dead brother (who acts as a guardian angel figure throughout the film), Jimmy is able to escape alive, and make his way back home to prepare for the bank robbery.
The robbery is not without its problems, as the getaway driver is killed by the police but is on the whole successful. Jimmy gets the money he needs, escaping in a stolen Toyota Celica
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....
with his remaining accomplice. Ironically, the stolen auto's radio station bumper sticker is spotted by that station's competition team, who give chase attempting to award Jimmy a $10,000 prize. In anger, and not wanting to be identified after the robbery, Jimmy rams them off the road.
Jimmy returns to Pando's office to pay off his debt, but thinking he has a gun the gang once again attempt to kill him. Luckily he is able to give them the money before he is killed, and is now offered more work by Pando for his impressive performance escaping the gang on their first attempt to kill him. Jimmy leaves in disgust after pulling a gun on Pando. As Jimmy leaves, one of the street kids passes Jimmy, and in retaliation for the death of her friend shoots Pando and all his mates. The movie ends with Jimmy and Alex buying tickets at an airport to a location 'up north'
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, away from the pressures of life in Sydney.
Extended or alternative ending
The Australian DVD released film ends as described above and does not feature any other type of ending as an extra or outtake on the DVD. However the televised version of the film featured a longer ending. Immediately after the scene with Jimmy and Alex purchasing their air tickets, is a scene where Jimmy’s brother Michael delivers a brief monologue completing the karmic message of the film. A beam of light shines down from the heavens and Michael attempts to run to the light, however he is grabbed by a series of hands which erupt from the ground and pull him back down into the earth that he escaped from in the opening introduction scene of the film.Soundtrack
The soundtrack featured the PowderfingerPowderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
single "These Days
These Days (Powderfinger song)
"These Days" is an alternative rock song from Powderfinger's fourth studio album, Odyssey Number Five, which was released in 2000. The song was also released on Powderfinger's 2004 compilation album Fingerprints: The Best of Powderfinger, 1994-2000....
", the video for which was compiled with footage from Two Hands. Other songs were mostly contributed by Australian artists. Cezary Skubiszewski
Cezary Skubiszewski
Cezary Skubiszewski, born 1949, Warsaw, Poland, is an Polish Australian composer for film, television and orchestra.Migrating from Poland to Australia in 1974, he studied the piano from the age of six. He currently lives in East St Kilda, Melbourne...
also contributed original music to the soundtrack
Track listing
- "These Days" by PowderfingerPowderfingerPowderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
- "Lucky Star" by Alex LloydAlex LloydAlex Lloyd is an Australian singer-songwriter. His most popular album Watching Angels Mend, which includes the songs "Amazing" and "Green", was released in 2001 went double platinum. His third album Distant Light released in 2003 featured three songs that made the Australian top 40 singles charts...
- "Walking Kings X" by Cezary SkubiszewskiCezary SkubiszewskiCezary Skubiszewski, born 1949, Warsaw, Poland, is an Polish Australian composer for film, television and orchestra.Migrating from Poland to Australia in 1974, he studied the piano from the age of six. He currently lives in East St Kilda, Melbourne...
- "What Does it Matter" by PrimaryPrimary (band)Primary is a rock band based in Sydney, Australia from 1995 until the early 2000s. The band's nucleus consisted of Jamie Fonti , Sean Fonti and Connie Mitchell...
- "Stadium" by SkunkhourSkunkhourSkunkhour were a Sydney-based Australian band that was active in the 1990s, before disbanding in 2001.Formed in 1991, the band is named after a poem by Robert Lowell entitled "Skunk Hour"...
- "Dark State of Mind" by TuataraTuataraThe tuatara is a reptile endemic to New Zealand which, though it resembles most lizards, is actually part of a distinct lineage, order Sphenodontia. The two species of tuatara are the only surviving members of its order, which flourished around 200 million years ago. Their most recent common...
- "Belter" by PowderfingerPowderfingerPowderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
- "Staircase" by Cezary SkubiszewskiCezary SkubiszewskiCezary Skubiszewski, born 1949, Warsaw, Poland, is an Polish Australian composer for film, television and orchestra.Migrating from Poland to Australia in 1974, he studied the piano from the age of six. He currently lives in East St Kilda, Melbourne...
- "Down in Splendour" by Straitjacket FitsStraitjacket FitsStraitjacket Fits formed in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1986 and were a prominent band in the Flying Nun label's second wave of the Dunedin Sound.-Biography:...
- "Heavenly Sublime" by Tracky Dax
- "Fletcher's House" by Cezary SkubiszewskiCezary SkubiszewskiCezary Skubiszewski, born 1949, Warsaw, Poland, is an Polish Australian composer for film, television and orchestra.Migrating from Poland to Australia in 1974, he studied the piano from the age of six. He currently lives in East St Kilda, Melbourne...
- "Two Hands" by Kate CeberanoKate CeberanoKate Ceberano is an Australian singer. She achieved success in the soul, jazz and pop genres as well as in her brief forays into musicals with Jesus Christ Superstar and film...
- "Love Theme" by Cezary SkubiszewskiCezary SkubiszewskiCezary Skubiszewski, born 1949, Warsaw, Poland, is an Polish Australian composer for film, television and orchestra.Migrating from Poland to Australia in 1974, he studied the piano from the age of six. He currently lives in East St Kilda, Melbourne...
- "This Guy's In Love" by The ReelsThe ReelsThe Reels is an Australian rock/indie pop group which formed in Dubbo, New South Wales in 1976 and initially disbanded in 1991, they eventually reformed in 2007. Their 1981 song, "Quasimodo's Dream", was voted one of the Top 10 Australian songs of all time by a 100-member panel from Australasian...
- "Kare Kare" by Crowded HouseCrowded HouseCrowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
Reception
The film garnered mostly positive reviews from critics. With a 67% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Joel Meares, from FilmCritic.Com, praised director Gregor Jordan, saying 'Jordan, here in his firecracker of a debut, has created a fast moving, and ultimately genuinely moving film'. Scott Weinburg of DVDTalk.Com, stated 'Boasts Jordan's slick and efficient film making, two excellent performances by LedgerHeath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
and Brown
Bryan Brown
Bryan Neathway Brown, AM is an Australian actor.-Early life:Brown was born in Sydney, the son of John Brown and Molly Brown, a house cleaner who worked as a pianist in the early days of the Langshaw School of Ballet. He grew up in the south-western Sydney suburb of Bankstown and began working at...
, and that always-welcome air of offbeat Aussie attitude'. On its release in July 1999, many critics were calling it the 'Australian Goodfellas'. Pete Cascaldi from ABC.Net claimed 'Two Hands is a beautifully written and executed, fast and sexy street-wise romp through inner city villainy. Sporting the perfect cast, it's the story of innocence and the "hardway" colliding with a mix of brutality, gentility and just a little mysticism' and praising the director, 'Jordan delivers in Two Hands a tale that will more than tickle your fancy and touch your heart'.
Awards and nominations
AFI AwardsAustralian Film Institute Awards
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award, known as the AACTA Award , is an accolade presented annually by the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts . The awards recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry and television industry, including directors,...
:
- Won: Best Film
- Won: Best Director (Gregor JordanGregor JordanGregor Jordan is an Australian film director.Jordan's films include Two Hands , Buffalo Soldiers , and Ned Kelly . He has also directed the concert video These Days: Live in Concert by Australian rock band Powderfinger.His film Two Hands won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction...
) - Won: Best Supporting Actor (Bryan BrownBryan BrownBryan Neathway Brown, AM is an Australian actor.-Early life:Brown was born in Sydney, the son of John Brown and Molly Brown, a house cleaner who worked as a pianist in the early days of the Langshaw School of Ballet. He grew up in the south-western Sydney suburb of Bankstown and began working at...
) - Won: Best original Screenplay (Gregor JordanGregor JordanGregor Jordan is an Australian film director.Jordan's films include Two Hands , Buffalo Soldiers , and Ned Kelly . He has also directed the concert video These Days: Live in Concert by Australian rock band Powderfinger.His film Two Hands won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction...
) - Won: Best Film Editing (Lee SmithLee Smith (editor)Lee Smith is an ACE-certified Australian film editor. He began his career as a sound editor/sound designer for films such as Dead Calm , The Piano , The Portrait of a Lady and Holy Smoke!...
) - Nominated: Best Achievement in Costume Design
- Nominated: Best Achievement in Sound
- Nominated: Best Original Music Score
- Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role (Heath LedgerHeath LedgerHeath Andrew Ledger was an Australian television and film actor. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger moved to the United States in 1998 to develop his film career...
) - Nominated: Best Performance by an Actress in a supporting Role (Susie PorterSusie PorterSusie Porter is a multiple award winning Australian television and film actress.-Television:Susie Porter began her acting career in one episode of House Gang, a short lived television program. She then had small roles in other Australian television programs in the late 1990s, including Big Sky,...
)
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
- Won: Best Film
- Won: Best Supporting Actress (Susie Porter)
- Won: Best Supporting actor (Bryan Brown)
- Nominated: Best Actor – Male (Heath Ledger)
- Nominated: Best Cinematography
- Nominated: Best Director (Gregor Jordan)
- Nominated: Best Music Score
- Nominated: Best Screenplay(Gregor Jordan)
Stockholm Film Festival
Nominated: Bronze Horse (Gregor Jordan)
Queensland Premier's Literary Awards
Queensland Premier's Literary Awards
The Queensland Premier's Literary Awards were inaugurated in 1999 and have grown to become a leading literary awards program within Australia, with $225,000 in prizemoney over 14 categories. One of Australia's richest prizes, top categories offer up to $25,000 for 1st prize.-Fiction Book...
Won: Film Script - the Pacific Film and Television Commission Award (Gregor Jordan
Gregor Jordan
Gregor Jordan is an Australian film director.Jordan's films include Two Hands , Buffalo Soldiers , and Ned Kelly . He has also directed the concert video These Days: Live in Concert by Australian rock band Powderfinger.His film Two Hands won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Direction...
)