Chrysanthepop David Caesar's 'Dirty Deeds' is a black comedy about gangsters set in 1960's Australia. The film doesn't completely capture the vibe of the 60s but still looks appealing mainly due to the colourful production design and costumes.Where writing it concerned, most of the jokes work effectively but there are a few that fall flat. Moreover some of the main characters should have been more properly defined.The performances, mainly by Bryan Brown, Toni Collette, John Goodman and Sam Neill are brilliant. However, Sam Worthington lacks screen presence.The pacing is quite uneven and the story does tend to get a little messy in places. The cinematography is good and the score is brilliant.'Dirty Deeds' thinks it's a smart black comedy and that may be so to an extent but it does have its share of flaws, a few big ones. Tighter editing and more character development may have done the trick. Yet, it's still watchable. After all something that's visually amusing and draws a few laughs may deserve at least a one-time watch.

wes-connors In 1969 Vietnam, handsome soldier Sam Worthington (as Darcy "Darce" Ryan) receives his release from war service. He goes home to live with the uncle who raised him as a son. Meanwhile, weighty gangster John Goodman (as Tony Testano) and his trigger-happy henchman Fred Williamson (as Sal Cassela) are dispatched from Chicago, USA to Sidney, Australia. Their mission is to take over the slot-machine racket run by crime boss Bryan Brown (as Barry Ryan) by infiltrating his organization. Experienced at killing people and blowing things up, Mr. Worthington's becomes Mr. Brown's young partner...Worthington could follow in his uncle's footsteps, or open his own pizzeria. A romantic subplot involves amorous Kestie Morassi (as Margaret), who so predictably switches partners you have to wonder what writer/director David Caesar intended. There is no real evidence, but perhaps Brown was trying to save his marriage to older, but still beautiful Toni Collette (as Sharon)...Not an Australian expert, but there isn't much here that looks like contemporary movies from 1969. Adept cinematographer Geoffrey Hall is employed to make up the difference by making the motion picture look like an aged Polaroid. It only makes you look for the "color restore" button. The original soundtrack is done well, but don't expect AC/DC's original "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" or a 1969 parade of hits. Direction and editing (by Mark Perry) do help keep it moving. Most elevated in the cast credits is Sam Neill (as Ray Murphy). There is something extra to see within the end credit roll.***** Dirty Deeds (7/18/02) David Caesar ~ Bryan Brown, Sam Worthington, John Goodman, Toni Collette

ptb-8 This gangster comedy made in 2002 and set in 1969 Sydney was treated very badly upon first release by sneering critics and it struggled at the box office. However, I believe it is a well made farce about criminal life in the seriously changing times of the late 60s set in seedy nightclub strip of Kings Cross. With an excellent cast (look it up) and excellent wry set design and hilarious costume styles so perfect for the time, DIRTY DEEDS looks great on a wide screen and is dangerous and funny in equal measures. Writer-director David Caesar is a suburban everyman who celebrates the ordinary in his Australian films. His previous efforts, especially MULLET or GREENKEEPING are worth seeing in a series that looks at Aussie wannabees and losers and aspirants often well out of their depth or level of ambition. Caesar actually has something to say and it is not just cliché. However, DIRTY DEEDS was released during a spate of OZ crim comedies: TWO HANDS (good); CHOPPER (excellent), BAD EGGS just OK), THE (shoddy miscast) POSTCARD BANDIT... and was unfairly maligned. It captures a time and place perfectly and with some hilarious 'fish out of water' reactions by visiting American criminals allows for the driest humor about 60s Sydney since THEY'RE A WEIRD MOB. Don't' be put off by other bad reviews. DIRTY DEEDS is well worth your time. Tony Collette in her green petal-tile nightclub dress alone is worth the rental.... as is Felix Williamson stranded in his Y-fronts.

Tony I seem to be among the majority of reviewers, who didn't find anything terribly objectionable about Dirty Deeds, but nothing particularly praiseworthy either. Great cast of actors, somewhat wasted on an ordinary and very predictable script. Lovely outfits and wallpaper, but none of the characters had enough depth to make me see them more than the actors who were playing them.