The Hard Word (released in some regions as The Australian Job) is a 2002 Australian crime film about three bank-robbing brothers who are offered a role in a bold heist while serving time in prison. The film was written and directed by Scott Roberts, and stars Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths.
Contents
Plot
The plot centers around three brothers, sophisticated armed robbers led by the shrewd Dale, who work with their long-time lawyer, Frank, and corrupt police to pull off the biggest heist in Australian history. Matters become complicated when Dale begins to realise that while he has been in jail his wife, Carol, has been sleeping with Frank, who has schemes of his own.
The major heist is a reworking of the 1976 Great Bookie Robbery, with a number of variations, including the murders of several people.
Cast
Guy Pearce as Dale
Rachel Griffiths as Carol
Robert Taylor as Frank Malone
Joel Edgerton as Shane
Damien Richardson as Mal
Rhonda Findleton as Jane
Kate Atkinson as Pamela
Vince Colosimo as Kelly
Paul Sonkkila as O'Riordan
Kym Gyngell as Paul
Dorian Nkono as Tarzan
Don Bridges as Doug
Greg Fleet as Tony
Beth Buchanan as Nurse
Louise Crawford as Waitress #1
Nash Edgerton as Bank Guard
Box office
The Hard Word grossed $2,957,456 at the box office in Australia.
Reception
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 38% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10.
Butcher talk
A few times butcher talk ("rehctub klat") is spoken. At those times hard-coded subtitles are used.