Watch Risk

Risk is a 2000 Australian film directed by Alan White and written by Louis Nowra, featuring an impressive cast of renowned actors such as Bryan Brown, Tom Long, and Claudia Karvan. The movie is a crime thriller that is set in the world of organized crime and revolves around two friends who find themselves sucked into a complicated criminal underworld of drugs and money.

The film begins when two young men, Jim Doyle (Tom Long) and Andy (Jason Clarke), have decided to leave Australia and head to London for a fresh start. However, their plans come to a halt when Jim's brother has an accident that leads to his death. Jim decides to return to Australia to attend his brother's funeral, and Andy joins him.

When Jim and Andy return to their hometown, they connect with Jim's brother's former business partner and mentor, the charismatic Pando (Bryan Brown). Pando runs a successful drug trafficking operation and is keen on recruiting Jim to help him expand his business. Jim initially declines but soon finds himself drawn to the quick cash and adrenaline-rush that comes with the job.

As Jim gets more involved in Pando's organization, he starts to drift apart from his childhood friend Andy. Jim finds his loyalty tested when Pando orders him to perform dangerous and illegal acts, which put both Jim and Andy's lives at risk.

The movie also delves into the relationship between Jim and his wife Lucy (Claudia Karvan) and their struggle to maintain their marriage amidst all the dangers and risks. Lucy is the complete opposite of Pando's reckless, fast-paced lifestyle, and her presence provides a much-needed balance to the narrative.

The direction by Alan White is impressive, as he captures the gritty and dark underbelly of Melbourne's crime scene. The cinematography by Steve Arnold adds to the overall mood of the film, with its dimly lit interiors and shadowy alleys.

The performances by the cast are also noteworthy. Bryan Brown is convincing as the larger than life criminal mastermind, bringing his charm and intensity to the role. Tom Long and Claudia Karvan are competent actors and do justice to their respective roles. The chemistry between Long and Karvan is palpable, and their dynamics provide an emotional anchor to the plot.

The movie's pacing is slow but steady, and it takes its time in building tension and establishing the conflicts between the characters. The plot twists come at unexpected moments, and the climax is suitably intense and thrilling.

One downside to the movie is that the supporting characters are not fully fleshed out, and their motivations and backstories are left vague. This is particularly true for Andy's character, who is painted as a one-dimensional sidekick rather than an independent character with conflicts of his own.

In conclusion, Risk is a well-made crime thriller that is elevated by strong performances, sharp direction, and impressive cinematography. It may not break any new ground in terms of the genre, but it is a solid and entertaining movie that is worth a watch for fans of the crime genre.