"Dirty Deeds" takes a nostalgic view of the Sydney of the late nineties as we are taken along to meet a local gangster who is ruthless against his enemies, or the people trying to invade his territory. The action takes place in King Cross, an area where night life was the main attraction.David Caesar and his cinematographer, Geoffrey Hall, created a film that seems to have been shot in that era, as they have given the movie a faded look that works well with the story they are telling. The film has some funny moments that come at unexpected moments. The inside joke seems to be about how to really make a good pizza, something that might not have been done at the time.The film makers have to be congratulated in bringing a brilliant cast together for the movie. Bryan Brown plays the kingpin Barry Ryan with equal amount of meanness and humor. Mr. Brown is an actor that is always consistent in anything he does and he should be seen more often. Toni Collette is one of the best actresses working in films, who is at home in drama as well as comedy, and she has a rare opportunity to show her talent playing Barry's wife, Sharon. John Goodman is good as the American mafioso who is outsmarted by his Aussie counterpart. Sam Worthington is fine as the naive Darcy and Kesty Moressi also does a good job as Margaret. The only one that has nothing to do is Sam Neill."Dirty Deeds" works well as a drama and a comedy because there are elements of both in it thanks to the way David Caesar presents his material on the screen.

Yes, it's awful. As to say not one redeeming feature. It was just an opportunity for a bunch of Aussies to have fun without having to do any acting (John Goodman or no) and the scriptwriter to not have to do any writing, and the photographer to not have to see anything, and they stick in Toni Collette as if that is going to help. Who are these people that give a movie like this a rating of 7? Are they people without any critical consciousness? It's just a combo of cowboy=car chases without the horses or the vehicles, just filming people reciting lines that somebody thinks have some sort of meaning to them when they in fact have nothing. Is there any set of standards that anyone adheres to?

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'.

This may need subtitles for those unaccustomed to the strong Aussie accent and slang. Dirty Deeds is a fabulous representation of inner city Sydney, and many other Australian cities, of this time. This is an excellent representation of Australian Gangsters/Mobsters of the era, the level of corruption and prevalence. The feeling about the Yanks by Aussies is still in play today. The casting was superb with John Goodman a fabulous treat, an exceptional actor as always. It was raw with the richness of camera technique with some shots oozing smell and sound. This is a truly unique piece of Australian Film. To be enjoyed over and over again, it will be timeless.