Jordan takes us into the seedy crime side of Sydney, Australia, following the desperate attempt of nineteen year old Jimmy, (Heath Ledger), who bundles a job for a local gangster and needs to make amend before they get to him. The gangsters, (led by Bryan Brown), are a menacing bunch with a humorous streak in them. That's what makes the film work, because we always view gangsters as a rough bunch out to screw you badly. But this mob tickle your funny bone as well. A clever structured script by Jordan has characters crossing paths and getting caught in the web plot.

The inspiration for this film was the fact that American Gangsters are well dresses, but the Aussies, well when you might kill a guy as soon as look at the blighter, then you can dress as badly as you want and people won't criticize you.

Jimmy is fighter, an illegal boxer, sometimes bouncer and is offered work by Pando, the local gangster boss in the cross (That is, Australia's notorious Kings Cross District, not the Cross of London fame as many a British backpacker finds out the hard way).

Due to feelings of love he stuffs up a job, loses a lot of money and has to get it to Pando before Pando and his heavies can kill him.

Lots of dark humour, interesting action, revelations about the Australia's underside and human nature. It is very centred in the Australian nature and explores the nature of Australian criminals (versus the American and British ones).

One problem is that each of the elements of the story don't have enough substance and depth, but it is a painting with broad strokes that covers a lot of area not covered previously, so as an overall package it is worthwhile.

Team it up with "Chopper" and "Dirty Deeds" for your Aussie Crime fest or "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Miller's Crossing" for an International falling short of the criminal gangs fest.

By the way, Bryan Brown is a great actor who has just done a huge number of really bad movies. Here is one of his great movies.

In this Australian crime comedy, a naïve young man gets into trouble by promising to do "just one favor" for a mob boss. Heath Ledger is the lead, and he's absolutely adorable, with his 10 Things I Hate About You curly ringlets and utterly charming smile. Plus, he's completely clueless, and that makes him even more endearing. If you had to make a pick-up for the mafia, would you bury it in the sand and go for a dip in the ocean just because you thought you saw a pretty girl wading in the water? After his very stupid mistake, Heath finds out it wasn't even the right girl; and someone's taken the loot he buried!

You can bet mob boss Bryan Brown won't take that lying down. I love seeing Bryan Brown's Australian movies. For some reason, I always get the feeling that he's winking at the camera, saying, "I'm famous, but I'll lend my name to these young folks to give them a break." He just seems to be too nice a guy to be a menacing mafia leader, but the rest of the movie has enough violence and heartlessness to get Heath sufficiently scared. Heath's love interest is a pre-famous Rose Byrne, and she's really cute. With bleach blonde hair and black roots, a love of photography because she's insecure and gawky, and a charming lack of confidence because it's her first love, she and Heath are perfect for each other. But will they stay alive to go out on another date? You'll have to watch this funny flick to find out.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to upsetting scenes involving a child, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.