Idiot Box

Idiot Box is a 1996 Australian film starring Ben Mendelsohn and Jeremy Sims. Set in (around 1980's or 90's) middle class city urban Australian youth and young adults culture with local criminal well to do's and widespread general unemployment. The story viewing is shown from the private and illicit side of the activity of friends turning to crime by personal circumstance, all the way to the nitty-gritty of sand-shoes and caring considerate criminals' sincerity. Idiot box is another "era" Australian "bank robber film" entwined with a wry sense of humour. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 the soundtrack was nominated for Best Original Soundtrack, Cast or Show Album. Plot The story follows two fictional characters Mick (Jeremy Sims) and Kev (Ben Mendelsohn) who have nothing to offer. They are stereotypical bogans with a taste for cheap thrills. Kev's hobby is being angry, his motto is "Maximum fear, minimum time". He is unemployed with "attitude," an antagonistic manner. Mick is his best friend ("mate") and together they kill time drinking beer, watching the Idiot Box and looking for action on the street. One day Kev tells Mick they have drawn their last dole cheque. Instead of giving in to their limited circumstances, they are going to get rich quick doing the only thing they are qualified for - crime. Conning a friend into driving the getaway car, the gang of three plan a bank robbery. But it is a heist that is doomed from the start when professional criminals target the same bank.