Movie Information
Overall Rank: 1731
Average Rating: 2.9/4
# of Ratings: 67
Theatrical Release Date: 02/28/1997
Language: English
Genre: Crime, Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Actors: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, F. William Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Plot: A tale of love, revenge and redemption, set against the seedy casinos of Reno, Nevada.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 06/25/2019
A Scorsese-ish, character motivated crime drama that would landmark Paul Thomas Anderson as a future great filmmaker.
Rating of
4/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 02/08/2012
The strength of this film is assuredly the acting. C. Reilly and Paltrow's improv-ish, stammering performances lie in stark contrast to Philip Baker Hall's grave and precise character. The film does SO much with very little action and it's all due to the masterful handling of characters we care about and a believable situation that is directed well. This is one of PT Anderson's best and earliest works and also a tour-de-force job by John C. Reilly, who stands out here in a desperate role.
Rating of
3.5/4
dukeakasmudge - wrote on 09/11/2011
VERY good movie.The ONLY movie I liked of John C. Reilly where hes not in a comedy
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
The candid thriller the world is missing.
memento_mori - wrote on 07/26/2013
After viewing it one more time, I've grown to love Paul Thomas Anderson's film debut 'Hard Eight'.
Anderson had the correct piece of work in mind when he made this film. It is as flawless as a first-time project can get, and this movie shows it through all the strong points of drama, that outweigh the lower ones such as action significantly.
Hard Eight has a sense of style that is both simple and complicated. PTA's use of Steadicam and focus were fantastic, used often to focus on plot elements, such as cigarettes and coffee.
As always, his use of focus is great.
The screenplay is filled with excellent ambiguity and characters. Sydney seems to be the title character, because he is the most mysterious.
I will go as far as saying these characters are written near perfectly. Every …
Rating of
4/4
Hard Eight review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 11/07/2012
The type of film where simplicity in direction and grandeur in terms of performances works best instead of flashy action scenes.Sydney (Philip Baker Hall) gives advise to a distraught man named John (John C. Reilly). He teaches him the ropes and introduces Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) while befriending Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson). Each artist can definitely hold their own, but Philip Baker Hall makes this movie work in all levels. Screenplay and pace of the plot was perfection. Best lines: Syd - " It's always good to meet a new friend. I'll see you later." John - "...everything cool?" Score was applicable for its genre. Entertainment value was high from start to its unexpected conclusion. Hard Eight is probably one of the most underrated thriller crime flicks produced about …
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