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Hard Eight

Play trailer Poster for Hard Eight R Released Jan 20, 1996 1h 36m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 52 Reviews 83% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.
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Hard Eight

Hard Eight

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Critics Consensus

An absorbing showcase for Philip Baker Hall, Paul Thomason Anderson's feature debut is a gamble that pays off handsomely.

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Critics Reviews

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Christopher Hemblade Empire Magazine Just a soupcon of livelier drama would have improved the proceedings considerably. Rated: 2/5 Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader This first feature by writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is impressive for its lean and unblemished storytelling, but even more so for its performances. Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune It's done with such intelligence and feeling, and such a brilliant cast, that it grips our attention from first shuffle to last bet. Rated: 3/4 Jul 17, 2020 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Hard Eight’s modest narrative and confident filmmaking offer a stylish showcase for the excellent cast and a promising start for one of today’s finest directors. Rated: 3.5/4 May 8, 2025 Full Review Dave Giannini InSession Film So, is Hard Eight as good as Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, or Boogie Nights? Absolutely not. But for many other directors, this would be a fantastic film to hang your hat on. Feb 23, 2024 Full Review Paul Kanieski KSQD Community Radio P.T. Anderson’s self-assured filmmaking belies the fact Hard Eight was his very first feature. Jul 24, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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john h Hard Eight is by no means a terrible directorial debut. It certainly doesn't compare to the rest of PTA's works, but you can still sense that his style was certainly born with Hard Eight - an experience that is just as jaw dropping as the seemingly inextricable, dark turn for our characters and the price of sacrificing for a loved one. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/03/25 Full Review thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, o filme tem cenas de fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é mais ou menos e ninguém melhora o filme, os personagens sao ruins, e faltou muitas cenas para o filme ser bom. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/22/25 Full Review Christian K Can see and feel the original PTA juice backed up by strong acting and a original story. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/25 Full Review Isa B Sydney or "Hard Eight" is the outstanding first feature length film from the career of Paul Thomas Anderson. Anderson got everything he wanted pertaining to final cut with this picture, but one thing he didnt get was the name. The studio insisted onncalling the film Hard Eight and Mr. Anderson reluctantly agreed. The film is still widely referred to by the director's chosen title. I absolutely love this picture. Philip Baker Hall was marvelous as Sydney. He is such an underrated talent. If anyone doubts his greatness, please do yourself a favor and watch Secret Honor by the legendary Robert Altman. That is the film where P.T. Anderson first saw Mr. Philip Baker Hall. A match made in heaven, if you ask me. Hall was also brilliant in Anderson's other films, Boogie Night and Magnolia. Anyway, I digress. John C. Reilly and Samuel L. Jackson were fantastic in their respective roles as well. This is a very good film and I highly recommend it. 90/100 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 12/08/24 Full Review alan g Sick movie about trashy individuals. Waste of talent except Paltry who couldn't act her way out of a wet paper bag. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/05/24 Full Review Scott M Fabulous story by PT Anderson about two lovers in Vegas who get some advice and help from an old gambler. Extremely good acting. One of my favorite movies. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/22/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Hard Eight

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Cast & Crew

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Philip Baker Hall

Sydney

John C. Reilly

John

Gwyneth Paltrow

Clementine

Samuel L. Jackson

Jimmy

F. William Parker

Hostage

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Hard Eight

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Movie Info

Synopsis A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson
Producer
Robert Jones, John S. Lyons
Screenwriter
Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor
Columbia Tristar
Production Co
Rysher Entertainment, Trinity
Rating
R
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 20, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$215.6K
Runtime
1h 36m
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