WELCOME to Sydney. It's 1969 - a time of hedonistic delights, when 20 bucks buys you a whole night out, and perhaps even some company for the night.

Barry Ryan (Bryan Brown) is a key figure in the city's organised crime - he owns the clubs and illegal casinos, as well as the beautiful girls, and makes a tidy profit from his various 'enterprises'.

The cops, led by Detective Ray (Sam Neill), know all about Barry's underhand activities and gladly look the other way for a sizeable back-hander.

Barry's loyal wife Sharon (Toni Collette) keeps a close eye on her man to ensure he doesn't get himself into too much trouble, while wide-eyed nephew Darcy (Felix Worthington) tries to learn the intricacies of the family business.

Meanwhile, Barry's sexy young mistress Margaret (Kestie Morassi) tends to his every sexual need.

When two Chicago hoods (John Goodman, Sam Williamson) arrive in town and attempt to muscle in on the action, Barry decides to teach the Yanks a bitter lesson in outback hospitality.

He hatches a dastardly plan involving Sharon, Margaret and co to send the Yanks back to where they came from. Preferably in wooden boxes.

Dirty Deeds twists and turns like a coiled rattlesnake, and conceals a couple of aces up its sleeve for the final half hour when Barry's plan comes to fruition.

The film beautifully evokes the era with glorious floral prints and a rousing soundtrack, while cinematographer Geoffrey Hall adds a grimy, gritty feel by bleaching much of the colour.

Performances are strong - Brown's chancer is likeable despite his penchant for bed-hopping and Collette is feistiness personified.

It's evident that his young wife wears the trousers in the Ryan household, no matter what Barry might think.

A romantic subplot involving Darcy and Margaret is somewhat undernourished and Goodman seems too subdued.

Perhaps the intense heat of the red dirt outback scenes was just too much.

Rating: 6/10

DAMON SMITH