Ray Yale (David Roberts) and Carla Smith (Claire van der Boom) are having an illicit affair. He's in a loveless marriage and is the corrupted construction boss on the take. Her husband Greg (Anthony Hayes) is the criminal type who tries to hide a bag of cash from Carla in the ceiling. She wants to run away with Ray and the money. They come up with a plan to burn down her house after stealing the money. He hires arsonist Billy (Joel Edgerton) but the simple job turns deadly when Greg's mother stay over. Billy misses the Ray's call to cancel the job after a failed phone tag with Billy's girlfriend Lily (Hanna Mangan Lawrence). Billy believes that he's been taken advantage of by Ray.

Basically, I don't like David Roberts' performance or his presence. I don't like his character or anything about him. I would have preferred Joel Edgerton in the role. He makes for a much better lead actor. The story is a bit overloaded. I wouldn't mind that if I care anything at all about Ray or Carla. I don't.

If you like them Gritty and devoid of Fluff and a sneering sensibility, this one from Down Under is a definitive Neo-Noir worth watching. It is a no Frills Film that takes its darkly drenched sensibility from some well known Auteurs like the Coens and Literary Icons like Caine and Chandler. Not Bad Role Models.

The appeal here is a World spiraling out of control. A World set in motion by those most directly affected by its New Orbit. What can go wrong will go wrong would be something for those aspiring to get away and get away with it, both the Crime and the Money.

The Anti-Heros are setting Themselves up for a whole lot of hurt and it brings down just about Everyone in Their path. There is an attraction here that is presented as very unattractive. Nothing is Pretty. The People, the Places, or the Ending that is a relief, although not a pleasant one, to finally find out how it all, and who all will be around to tell the Tale.

This is a humorless Homage to the Genre. Even a couple of Canines who find a mutual Attraction find out that it is a Cold Cruel World, especially if you stray outside your Little, Safe, Square.

This is one of the best films that I have seen in a long time. Joel Edgerton is clearly an amazing talent as he writes and features in this highly unusual version of a somewhat common plot line. The story is full of twists and turns and really keeps you enthralled to the very end. There are high quality Australian actors in this film, who work together to produce some terrific scenes, that are realistic , dramatic and entertaining. The only disappointment was we were one of about five people in the audience. Considering it was a Saturday night and the The Square's first week at the cinemas, I felt very sad for the Edgerton brothers and also worried that if fantastic Aussie films like this one aren't drawing audiences, then what will? Australians need to get behind Australian film, particularly when it is this good.