{{Short description|2002 Australian crime film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}} {{Infobox film | name = The Hard Word | image = Hard word poster 08.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Scott Roberts | producer = Al Clark | writer = Scott Roberts | starring = Guy Pearce<br>Rachel Griffiths<br>Robert Taylor<br>Joel Edgerton | music = David Thrussell | cinematography = Brian J. Breheny | editing = Martin Connor | distributor = Roadshow Entertainment (Australia)<br>Lions Gate Entertainment (US) | released = {{Film date|2002|6|30|df=y}} | runtime = 102 minutes | country = Australia<br>United Kingdom | language = English | budget = | gross = }}
'''''The Hard Word''''' (released in some regions as ''The Australian Job'') is a 2002 Australian crime film about three bank-robbing brothers who are offered a role in a bold heist while serving time in prison. The film was written and directed by Scott Roberts, and stars Guy Pearce and Rachel Griffiths.
==Cast== * Guy Pearce as Dale * Rachel Griffiths as Carol * Robert Taylor as Frank Malone * Joel Edgerton as Shane * Damien Richardson as Mal * Rhonda Findleton as Jane * Kate Atkinson as Pamela * Vince Colosimo as Kelly * Paul Sonkkila as O'Riordan * Kym Gyngell as Paul * Dorian Nkono as Tarzan * Don Bridges as Doug * Greg Fleet as Tony * Beth Buchanan as Nurse * Louise Crawford as Waitress #1 * Nash Edgerton as Bank Guard
==Plot== The plot centers around three brothers, sophisticated armed robbers led by the shrewd Dale, who work with their long-time lawyer, Frank, and corrupt police to pull off the biggest heist in Australian history. Matters become complicated when Dale begins to realise that while he has been in jail his wife, Carol, has been sleeping with Frank, who has schemes of his own.
The major heist is a reworking of the 1976 ''Great Bookie Robbery'', with a number of variations, including the murders of several people.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
==Box office== ''The Hard Word'' grossed $2,957,456 at the box office in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf |title=''Film Victoria – Australian Films at the Australian Box Office'' |access-date=20 November 2010 |archive-date=23 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723234802/http://film.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/AA4_Aust_Box_office_report.pdf |url-status=dead |website=film.vic.gov.au}}</ref>
==Butcher talk== A few times butcher talk ("rehctub klat") is spoken.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-05-27 |title=Behind that tray of snags, there's a rehctub talking backwards |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/behind-that-tray-of-snags-theres-a-rehctub-talking-backwards-20020527-gdfbal.html |access-date=2026-03-19 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> At those times hard-coded subtitles are used.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|0280490|The Hard Word}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hard Word, The}} Category:2002 films Category:2002 crime comedy films Category:2002 black comedy films Category:2000s heist films Category:Films about adultery Category:Australian black comedy films Category:Films about brothers Category:Films set in Australia Category:Films shot in Melbourne Category:Films shot in Sydney Category:Australian crime comedy films Category:2002 English-language films Category:English-language black comedy films Category:English-language crime comedy films