51
Metascore
24 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75San Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleSan Francisco ChronicleMick LaSalleTense and compelling, with the added charm of a mischievous spirit.
- 60Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumAt times the plot developments in this post-Tarantino story seem so random they suggest automatic writing, but the characters and some of the settings kept me interested.
- 58Portland OregonianKim MorganPortland OregonianKim MorganThough The Hard Word feels flimsy at times, its breeziness and humor, along with Pearce's performance, make it infinitely more amusing than it's got any right to be. You get the feeling that these actors had fun making this film, and that fun is contagious.
- 50New York Daily NewsJack MathewsNew York Daily NewsJack MathewsI may be wrong, but I think Guy Pearce is wearing Nicole Kidman's false nose in The Hard Word. Whatever it is that's on his face, it looks like a dead cod and won't win him an Oscar.
- 50Village VoiceVillage VoiceConvoluted yet simple-minded, the movie frequently equates verbosity with wit.
- 50Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe film would work better if its story unfolded more swiftly and if its twists were more unexpected. The acting is solid, though.
- 50Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean AxmakerSeattle Post-IntelligencerSean AxmakerEven a one-two punch from Australian stars Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths, who are wryly good in this crime caper, can't keep it from sinking into a cavern of cliches.
- 42Entertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanEntertainment WeeklyOwen GleibermanAn Australian crime caper that's one part ''Sexy Beast,'' one part ''The Full Monty,'' and three parts very flat soda.
- 40Wall Street JournalJoe MorgensternWall Street JournalJoe MorgensternLike many dreams that enliven filmmakers' nights, this one derives from other, better films, though it does have a few clever twists.
- 30Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonAside from the obviously Australian flavor to everything -- which can be entertaining at times -- there's no X factor to justify the whole exercise.