| Director | Gregor Jordan |
|---|---|
| Genre | romantic comedy |
| Runtime | 103 min |
| Country | Australia |
| Budget | $4.4 million |
| Box office | $5.5 million |
Jimmy is a nineteen-year-old who lives in a run down block of units in the inner suburbs of Sydney. He earns money by working as a barker outside a strip club in Kings Cross with his friend Les, and by partaking in underground fights. However, he aspires to follow in the footsteps of his deceased older brother, Michael, in joining the ranks of the local criminal element led by the charismatic, yet ruthless and feared mob boss, Pando.
While working one night outside the club with Les, Jimmy is approached by Pando with an offer for some work which Jimmy, enthusiastically accepts out of admiration. The same night he and Les are introduced to Alex, the sister of their friend, Rocket. Alex is visiting Sydney from the country, and forms an immediate connection with Jimmy.
The next day, Pando gives Jimmy $10,000 to deliver to a woman in Bondi, but when she appears not to be home, he decides to wait at nearby Bondi Beach. In the sweltering heat, he becomes tempted by the water and goes for a swim.
Jimmy buries the envelope containing the money in the sand, however he is unaware that he has been scoped out by two street kids named Pete and Helen who steal the cash while he is swimming, leaving him heavily indebted to the furious Pando and his gang. The street kids go on a spending spree with their newfound wealth.
The car Jimmy was using on the job — a Ford Falcon belonging to Pando's associate Acko — is stolen by a young man and taken to a mechanic with the intention of selling it. The mechanic happens to be a friend of Acko's, who, displeased at the news of his car being stolen, suspects Jimmy's involvement.
Acko arrives to recover the car but on the way there his car hits and kills Pete. Helen watches in disbelief as he simply picks the dead boy's body off the street and dumps it in the gutter, concerned more about the damage to his car. Acko drives off leaving Helen alone, crying by her dead friend.
Jimmy contacts his friend Deirdre for help. Despite her appearances as a suburban housewife, Deidre is also a part of the criminal underworld, arranging a variety of 'jobs' around Sydney, and is implied to have previously been in a relationship with Jimmy's brother. Deidre chides Jimmy over becoming involved with Pando, whom she regards with utter contempt. Jimmy, however, still greatly respects and believes him to be a "good bloke" even despite being a target for his violent retribution, and seeks to pay off his debt and make good with Pando by asking to join one of Deidre's upcoming jobs. Deidre reluctantly agrees, and sets up Jimmy for a bank robbery the next day in Bankstown along with two others; leader Wozza and getaway driver Craig.
Meanwhile Alex, staying at Rocket's unit, is visited by Les and subjected to his clumsy romantic advances despite her obvious lack of interest. His attempts are interrupted by a phone call to Alex from Jimmy, and the two make plans to meet at a pub near Chinatown. The meeting's arrangements are overheard by Les who is jealous of Alex's attraction to Jimmy and also keen to get in with Pando's gang.
At the pub, Jimmy bonds further with Alex, and he reveals to her his burgeoning doubts over his pursuit of the life of a gangster. After Les informs the gang of the couple's whereabouts, the couple are forced to flee, attempting to escape via the Sydney Monorail. Pursued by Acko and fellow gang member Wally, they are caught leaving the monorail station, and in front of a terrified Alex, Jimmy is beaten and stuffed into Pando's car. Alex returns to Rocket at his home, who is frantic over her encounter with the dangerous gangsters, and demands that for her own safety she leave town immediately.
Jimmy is driven to a remote location to be executed by Pando. To his horror, he learns that Pando is responsible for the death of his brother Michael, as Acko casually mentions that they are in almost exactly the same spot where they killed and buried him years earlier. Through the indirect intervention of Michael (who acts as a guardian angel throughout the film), Jimmy is able to escape. On his way back to Deirdre's home, he is overcome with emotion over the truth about his brother's death, but nevertheless arrives the next morning to prepare for the bank robbery.
The robbery is not without its problems. When returning with the cash bags, Wozza attempts to jump over the bank counter, but fails and lands unconscious on the bank floor. He is dragged by Jimmy and Craig into the car, and comes round just as police arrive to begin shooting and returns fire. Craig is killed by the police but the robbery is otherwise successful.
Jimmy returns to Pando's office with the $10,000 he needs, and despite again almost being killed by the gang upon his arrival, is finally able to pay off his debt. Pando is ultimately impressed by Jimmy's resolve and offers him some more work. Jimmy responds by tearfully and angrily pulling a gun on Pando before leaving in disgust, no longer drawn to him or the criminal lifestyle. As Jimmy leaves, he passes Helen, who in retaliation for the death of her friend enters the office and fatally shoots Pando, Acko and Wally, before claiming the $10,000 for herself. Alex is revealed to have stayed for Jimmy, and they buy tickets at an airport to 'The North Coast' away from the pressures of life in Sydney.