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The Hard Word

Play trailer Poster for The Hard Word R 2003 1h 42m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
38% Tomatometer 79 Reviews 40% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Out of prison after serving time for armed robbery, brothers Dale (Guy Pearce), Mal (Damien Richardson) and Shane (Joel Edgerton) are set for a bank heist planned by their underhanded lawyer, Frank (Robert Taylor). But after pocketing his share of the cash, Frank, who's bedding Dale's wife (Rachel Griffiths), arranges to have them incarcerated again. Though he understands what his attorney is up to, Dale and his brothers agree to pull off a final robbery if Frank can get them freed once more.
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The Hard Word

The Hard Word

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Critics Consensus

This caper flick lacks the originality necessary to elevate it above other films of its genre.

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Critics Reviews

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Bill Muller Arizona Republic 07/31/2003
3/5
It is at most a middling effort. Go to Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post 07/31/2003
3/4
The movie-jaded will dismiss The Hard Word as just another slick heist flick with a band of burglar buddies. Too bad for their cynical souls. They'll be missing a grand (theft) time. Go to Full Review Tom Maurstad Dallas Morning News 07/17/2003
B
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, there's another disorienting jolt. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 01/01/2009
C
Undemanding derivative caper film. Go to Full Review Film Threat 12/06/2005
4/5
Paul Sherman Boston Herald 07/16/2005
2.5/4
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Audience Reviews

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Rodney W @Northgate0 Oct 4 Classic Aussie crime caper ditty. There’s enough verbal dexterity and kinetic behaviour between the cast to propel the story, and the soundtrack is exceptional, particularly at the climax. Suitably supported, Guy Pierce as always finds his home at home with his local accent coupled to the authenticity of good local writing and directing See more Jeffrey P @vanillavoodoo1 12/14/2024 A character study of sorts that is lighter than expected and drags on a bit as the shallow plot basically repeats itself three times with a different twist each time, before a casual ending. See more Spot T @RT57212395 03/28/2020 Mildly entertaining. The three leads lift a rather drab affair See more 02/17/2019 I thought it was a fun and entertaining movie with great acting from Taylor, Griffith, Edgerton and Pierce. Enjoyable for this genre. ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â?ï¿ 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2Â? See more 09/08/2015 It looks totally out of date, even back then. See more 02/15/2015 Reasonable film but nothing special and not one I would really want to see again. See more Read all reviews
The Hard Word

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Cast & Crew

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Scott Roberts

Director

Guy Pearce

Dale Twentyman

Rachel Griffiths

Carol

Robert Taylor

Frank

Joel Edgerton

Shane

Damien Richardson

Mal

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The Hard Word

The Hard Word (2002) The Hard Word (2002) Damien Richardson, Joel Edgerton and Guy Pearce in The Hard Word Rachel Griffiths and Guy Pearce in The Hard Word Guy Pearce in The Hard Word View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Out of prison after serving time for armed robbery, brothers Dale (Guy Pearce), Mal (Damien Richardson) and Shane (Joel Edgerton) are set for a bank heist planned by their underhanded lawyer, Frank (Robert Taylor). But after pocketing his share of the cash, Frank, who's bedding Dale's wife (Rachel Griffiths), arranges to have them incarcerated again. Though he understands what his attorney is up to, Dale and his brothers agree to pull off a final robbery if Frank can get them freed once more.
Director
Scott Roberts
Producer
Al Clark
Screenwriter
Scott Roberts
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Alibi Films, Wildheart Films
Rating
R (Strong Violence|Brief Drug Use|Sexuality|Language)
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 13, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$422.7K
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo