Hard Eight (1996)
- Starring:
- Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, (more)
- Director(s):
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Independent Films, Drama
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Before his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this low-key drama. John (John C. Reilly), a half-bright loser stranded in Reno, is down to his last few bucks when Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall), taking pity on him, buys him breakfast and offers him a few tips on making money in the casinos. Two years later, John has become Sydney's partner, but his lack of common sense goes from problematic to dangerous when he falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a cocktail waitress who isn't above turning a few tricks when she needs to make money -- and isn't any brighter than John. Hall and Reilly, both first-rate character actors, are cast in rare leading roles, and Paltrow is cast strongly against type as a part-time prostitute with a serious lack of street smarts. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 101 mins
Complete Cast:
- Philip Baker Hall - Sydney
- Gwyneth Paltrow - Clementine
- F. William Parker - Hostage
- Melora Walters - Jimmy's Girl
- John C. Reilly - John
- Samuel L. Jackson - Jimmy
- Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Director(s):
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Writer(s):
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Producer(s):
- Hans Brockman, John Lyons, François Duplat
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Not For Children, Adult Situations, Violence)
- Categories:
- Independent Films, Drama
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
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- 1997 - Hard Eight - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - New Generation Award
