The film, which is the feature helming debut of noted Australian stage director Neil Armfield, is based on the prize-winning novel by Luke Davies and was adapted for the screen by Davies and Armfield.

In the film, recent Oscar-nominee Ledger stars as Dan, a charming but reckless young poet who has fallen in love with Candy (Abbie Cornish), a beautiful young art student from a comfortable middle-class family who is attracted to the bohemian lifestyle that Dan has long since embraced. In order to get closer to Dan, Candy, whose previous drug use has been casually experimental, starts shooting up.

Their passionate relationship then alternates between bursts of ecstatic oblivion and bouts of despair and self-destruction. Hooked as much on heroin as one another, their story becomes a love triangle – a boy, a girl, and a drug.

Directed by
Neil Armfield

Cast
Heath Ledger - Dan
Geoffrey Rush - Casper
Abbie Cornish - Candy 
Tom Budge - Schumann
Noni Hazelhurst - Mrs Wyatt
Damon Herriman - Roger Moylan
Nathaniel Dean - Paul Hillman
Tony Martin - Mr Wyatt
Jason Chan - Dan's Doctor
Roberto Meza - Mont Jorge
Holly Austin - Sunglasses Shop Assistant
Craig Moraghan - Washing Machine Dealer
John Lee - Hock Shop Man
Noel Herriman - Celebrant
Tim McKenzie - Uncle Rod
Tara Morice - Aunt Katherine
Maddi Newling - Janey

Production Co.
Sherman Pictures (AUS)
New South Wales Film & Television Office
Margaret Fink Films
Film Finance Corporation Australia (FFC)
Paradigm Hyde Films

Produced by
Iain Canning
Margaret Fink
Richard Payten
Andrew Mackie
Emile Sherman
Angus Finney
Michael Whyke
Terrence Yason

Studio
THINKFilm

Writer
Luke Davies
Neil Armfield

Music
Paul Charlier