The Hard Word 2003

Three prisoners are swiftly approaching their moment of freedom on bail: Dale, Mal, and Shane. They form the notorious Twentyman brothers, a trio whose hard-learned life experiences have forged an unbreakable family bond centered around their chosen profession: armed robbery. They engage in their line of work not out of malice, but because they excel at it, adhering to one fundamental principle—no one gets hurt.

Their criminal endeavors are facilitated by their slick and somewhat pompous lawyer, Frank Malone (played by Robert Taylor), who navigates the legal intricacies with a confident swagger, often bending the rules to serve his own interests. However, Frank’s hubris reaches a new height when he becomes involved with Dale’s wife, Carol. While his attraction to her physical beauty seems apparent, he overlooks the formidable intellect she possesses, as Carol is no ordinary woman. She is a cunning strategist in her own right, poised to take control of her situation.

As the brothers enjoy their brief respite as free men, they find themselves pressured to pull off one final job before they are swept back into the clutches of the law due to complications with the “paperwork.” Although Frank Malone assures them of a quick escape from their legal troubles, he places a condition on their freedom: the brothers must pull off a significant heist. [Dale]‘s instincts begin to gnaw at him, raising suspicions about Frank’s true intentions, and a sudden bout of food poisoning adds to the turmoil, culminating in an impossible situation.

Their ambitious plan unfolds in Melbourne, where Frank has enlisted a group of local criminals to assist them, a decision that stirs discontent among the brothers. Now, with their backs against the wall and no alternative paths available, they push forward with the robbery, despite lingering doubts about its success. As events spiral out of control, the brothers perilously navigate through the chaos, fully realizing just how deeply Frank Malone has betrayed them.

In a desperate bid for survival, the brothers commandeer a car and embark on the journey back to Sydney, their minds racing with thoughts of the fortune they now possess. However, they are acutely aware that Frank will come for what he believes is rightfully his, and they are not alone on this road—Carol is also close behind, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to their exhilarating escape. Thus, the Twentyman brothers find themselves not simply running from the law but from the tangled web of deceit woven by their own confidants.