critics consensus

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

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The Hard Word Photos

Damien Richardson, Joel Edgerton and Guy Pearce in The Hard Word

Rachel Griffiths and Guy Pearce in The Hard Word

View All Photos (16)

Movie Info

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.

Rating:

R (Strong Violence|Brief Drug Use|Sexuality|Language)
Genre:

crime, drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Scott Roberts
Producer:

Al Clark
Writer:

Scott Roberts
Release Date (Streaming):

May 23, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA):

$422.7K
Runtime:

1h 42m
Production Co:

Alibi Films, Wildheart Films
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

Cast & Crew

Guy Pearce
Dale Twentyman

Rachel Griffiths
Carol

Robert Taylor
Frank

Joel Edgerton
Shane

Damien Richardson
Mal

Rhondda Findleton
Jane

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Hard Word

All Critics (82) | Top Critics (32) | Fresh (32) | Rotten (50)

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December 30, 2006 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Empire Magazine
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August 27, 2003 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…

Tom Dawson
BBC.com
It is at most a middling effort.

July 31, 2003 | Rating: 3/5

Bill Muller
Arizona Republic
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.

July 31, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

Michael Booth
Denver Post
Roberts stuffs the film with clever twists that keep us one step behind the plot, which is where you want to be in a heist picture.

July 25, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel
Just when you think you've got it all figured out, there's another disorienting jolt.

July 17, 2003 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Tom Maurstad
Dallas Morning News
Undemanding derivative caper film.

January 1, 2009 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
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December 6, 2005 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Film Threat
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July 16, 2005 | Rating: 2.5/4

Paul Sherman
Boston Herald
A nearly unrecognizable Guy Pearce gives a solid performance in an otherwise forgettable film

April 16, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com
Quote not available.

November 6, 2003 | Rating: 7/10 | Full Review…

Jay Richardson
Future Movies UK
You always get the feeling here that Roberts never actually knows where he's going with it.

September 16, 2003 | Full Review…

Tom Grealis
RTÉ (Ireland)

View All Critic Reviews (82)

Audience Reviews for The Hard Word

May 06, 2012

poor heist film with silly plotting. pearce is good in the lead but the whole plan and characters are very one dimensional

Brendan N Super Reviewer
Dec 28, 2010

I can't really think of anything good to say about this flick other then the description sounded interesting & that's the only reason I picked it up at the local library.That & I didn't have to pay for it

Brody M Super Reviewer
Jul 25, 2006

Watch this if ur into Snatch and Lock Stock style movies - this Aussie version is a great movie along those lines - and worth watching - If your aussie you'll get the jokes no problem.

Khris N Super Reviewer