IMDB | 13 August 2010

The trailer is here but I would not watch it if you're seeing the movie soon, as some of the images are, unfortunately, slight spoilers. Definitely avoid the Australian trailer, which gives too much away.

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Joshua "J" Cody (James Frecheville) is sitting in his living room with his mother at his side, dead from a drug overdose. He is 17, but doesn't look it, and lies about his age to the authorities that take her body away. He remembers his estranged grandmother. Years ago, when his grandfather died, she took care of everything. He calls her, asking for help and to be reunited.

The grandmother, Janine Cody (Jackie Weaver), is the matriarch of a Melbourne crime family. Her sons dabble in bank robberies, cocaine, and auto theft. One son, Pope (Ben Mendelsohn), has a target on his back, for being sloppy, prolific or, possibly, more violent than the others. The police is corrupt, with one hit squad murdering alleged criminals indiscriminately, and one officer secretly aiding the Cody's small empire, despite the force's best efforts to track them down.

J, too young to know how to navigate the situation, gets involved. Eventually something goes wrong (as, J explains, things often do for crooks). J is picked up by the one honest cop we see in the entire film, Sgt. Leckie (Guy Pearce). By the end of the film, there's a trail of bodies.

The film doesn't glamorize crime. Lives end in instants, often in abruptly edited or obliquely-shot scenes. The home life of the Codys is one of constant drug-fueled paranoia and plans for survival. It's all they know.

This carries itself into the audience. Where other crime films may have some scene-chewing theatrics to release the tension (think Denzel's "King Kong ain't got shit on me" speech from Training Day), there's no such respite here. Antony Partos's score is a broody, dark undercurrent through the entire film, sublime like Alexandre Desplat's best work in Syriana. All you feel is the noose getting tighter, slowly. Whether it snaps at the end is open to your interpretation.

This is easily one of the best crime films I have seen in theaters this decade. I highly recommend it.

Looks like this is still playing near a lot of you: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1313092/...s?location=map

I'm really looking forward to this.

I really liked 'The Hard Word', with some of the same people involved. I still don't understand why that film is still basically unknown, it's a terrific heist/noir film. 'The Square' was also first rate.

I expect good things from this one.

Holy fucking shit...I want to see this really bad...

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Here is the DVD Talk review, which has a spoiler in the second paragraph (and nowhere else).

I like this description of one of the brothers:

it's a fantastic film. currently #7 of the year levels of fantasmism.

i was disappointed personally. Even though the main character was pretty much born from pain, he was impossible to sympathize with for the most part by which every decision he was written to make were awfully dimwitted, and each blood-boiling scene of climactic suspense would feather down into something with little power (except for the very last scene). but that's just me.

The Square, on the other hand, was near-perfection.

Looks pretty good to me.

All I have to say is that we need to Guy Pearce roles worth giving here in the States. Even in ok films he does a good job EX: Traitor. I just want Nolan to get Guy a damn fine role again. We need more Nolan/Pearce and maybe a little less Bale/Nolan...but please also give me more JGL/Nolan as well. Sooo...if I got a Bale, JGL, and Pearce/Nolan film...I think...I'd be a damn happy Mexican.

^agreed completely

'cept i'd be a happy Asian

Fantastic film.

Just a great piece of work in every way.

Man I enjoyed watching this.

The movie started off a little jarringly for me - a lot of the dialogue felt forced - not helping the situation was the odd soundmix we had in the theater (muffled voices but loud as hell music). It was, however, extremely well cast -- the creeps came off as extremely creepy, disgusting people. The pacing was very good and the story engaging.

That said, it turned out to be a very entertaining movie. I have a feeling this one will be hit by the remake machine.

We definitely agree on a lot of films.

I'm just sad I missed Valhalla Rising.

You'll get around to seeing it.

You saw 'Winter's Bone' first, so in a way we're even on two really good films.

I absolutely loved this as well. Amazing piece of filmmaking in every way. The score was excellent and the cast was brilliant. I can easily say this is the best film i've seen this year.

SPOILER WARNING:

I liked it but was a little disappointed. I had really high expectations, thinking it would be as good as departed or something. One of the things that pissed me off about it though is every trailer/advert keeps talking about Jackie weaver and how evil she was. Really ruined the movie, not just the ending for me.

Liked all the performances. The coke druggy guy and creepy guy were freaking fantastic, great performances.

Can someone explain the joke to me during the scene where guy pearce is interviewing the kid and the kid says is talking about one of his uncles and says his uncle was rubbing his eyes. Then guy asked how, and the kid started to rub his. I didn't get the joke.

3 out of 4.

just updated my Top 5 of 2010.

this movie was sheer amazing. i was riveted throughout and couldn't look away. simply amazing, unexpected performances by the entire cast, especially by the kid who played J.

if you like crime thrillers...this is the pinnacle of. just incredible and took me by complete and utter surprise.

I'm assuming this film only strengthens the notion that we need more Guy Pearce?

How does this film compare to A Prophet?

Both are equally great. I couldn't compare if I wanted to. But they aren't alike at all.

Watched this tonight and agree with all the praise. Great film.

Side note: Does every big Australian guy look like Russell Crowe?

I thought he looked like a younger RC myself.

I'm honestly going to be royally P.O.'d if Jacki Weaver loses her nomination to Mila Kunis.

Nope.

I saw this on Starz and was pleasantly surprised how good it was.

I know the Pope was crazy but did he have a mental issue in the past since the grandmother suggested he should start taking pills again?