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The Hard Word

Play trailer Poster for The Hard Word R Released Jun 13, 2003 1h 42m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
38% Tomatometer 79 Reviews 39% 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

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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 It is at most a middling effort. Rated: 3/5 Jul 31, 2003 Full Review Michael Booth Denver Post 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. Rated: 3/4 Jul 31, 2003 Full Review Tom Maurstad Dallas Morning News Just when you think you've got it all figured out, there's another disorienting jolt. Rated: B Jul 17, 2003 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Undemanding derivative caper film. Rated: C Jan 1, 2009 Full Review Film Threat Rated: 4/5 Dec 6, 2005 Full Review Paul Sherman Boston Herald Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 16, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jeffrey P 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. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 12/14/24 Full Review TheDrewtho The Hard Word is a good movie, I have watched it more than once. Joel, Guy and Damien do a great job and are very authentic in the characters they play. They are very typical of Aussie crims. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/24 Full Review Audience Member Mildly entertaining. The three leads lift a rather drab affair Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member 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? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member It looks totally out of date, even back then. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Frances H Good heist flick with some twists and funny moments. Guy Pierce and Joel Edgerton are always interesting to watch. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/10/15 Full Review 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

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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
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