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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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82% Tomatometer 89 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 Thomas Anderson's feature debut is a gamble that pays off handsomely.

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Critics Reviews

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Dave Kehr New York Daily News Written and directed by newcomer Paul Thomas Anderson, Hard Eight is an engaging independent film with the staccato rhythm of a David Mamet play -- but with unexpected warmth. Rated: 3/4 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Ella Taylor L.A. Weekly Paul Thomas Anderson's stylish, noirish feature debut so transcends its worn-out plot that for a while you believe you're seeing a film about something important: goodness, no less. Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Bob Fenster Arizona Republic The real mystery here is how first-time writer/director Paul Anderson persuaded anyone to put up money for this movie. He may have no talent for making movies, but he has an amazing talent for getting a movie made that shouldn't have been. Rated: 1/5 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Christopher Borrelli Toledo Blade Some movies slink to their endings, others leap with glee, some strut, and then there are ones that walk a few steps, duck into an alley way, smoke a cigarette, step out of the shadows, and arrive home at 3:15 a.m. Hard Eight does that. Rated: 4/4 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Robert W. Butler Kansas City Star Hard Eight offers a delicious role for Hall, a veteran character actor who has spent most of his life in supporting work, although he did play Richard Nixon in Robert Altman's Secret Honor. But Sydney is a terrific challenge. Rated: 3/4 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Todd Anthony Miami Herald Hard Eight doesn't break the bank -- it's too self-consciously small -- but it has the feel of a modest long shot that hits. Rated: 3/4 Sep 22, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Brian H Apart from Philip Hall, every other character is frustrating especially Gwyneth Paltrow...she is so annoying. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/07/25 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
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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