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Sydney
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Photos (see all 10 | slideshow) Videos
Sydney (1996) -- Open-ended Trailer from Rysher Entertainment

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   9,627 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 19% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Writer:
Paul Thomas Anderson (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Hard Eight on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
28 February 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Drama | Thriller more
Tagline:
When good luck is a long shot, you have to hedge your bets. more
Plot:
John has lost all his money. He sits outside a diner in the desert when Sydney happens along, buys him coffee... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 6 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Philip Seymour Hoffman to star in Off-Broadway ‘Othello’
 (From The Cinema Post. 27 May 2009, 3:40 AM, PDT)

Live blogging the Oscars
 (From Gold Derby. 22 February 2009, 12:07 PM, PST)

User Comments:
Promising debut from Anderson more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Philip Baker Hall ... Sydney

John C. Reilly ... John

Gwyneth Paltrow ... Clementine

Samuel L. Jackson ... Jimmy

F. William Parker ... Hostage

Philip Seymour Hoffman ... Young Craps Player (as Phillip Seymour Hoffman)
Nathanael Cooper ... Restroom Attendant
Wynn White ... Waitress
Robert Ridgely ... Keno Bar Manager
Kathleen Campbell ... Keno Girl
Michael J. Rowe ... Pit Boss
Peter D'Allesandro ... Bartender
Steve Blane ... Stickman
Xaleese ... Cocktail Waitress

Melora Walters ... Jimmy's Girl
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Hard Eight (USA) (new title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong language, some violence and sexuality.
Runtime:
102 min | USA:101 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Iceland:12 | South Korea:18 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:R (Manitoba) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2008) | UK:15 (re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-16 (video premiere) | Germany:16 (video rating) | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | UK:18 | USA:R | Australia:MA
Filming Locations:
Reno, Nevada, USA
Company:
Green Parrot more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Assistant Cameraman Michael G. Riba turned down 2 weeks of work on Waterworld (1995) - which paid better - to work on Sydney (1996). Riba has been the assistant cameraman on every Anderson film since. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Camera operator's shadow visible on the ground during the first scene where Sydney meets John (full-frame version only). more
Quotes:
Sydney: [to Jimmy] I have the money to give you right now, in this moment. I will give you all that I have. Maybe before you were gonna kill me. Maybe. I don't know. I know John, and I love him like he was my own child. But I can tell you this: I don't want to die. I killed his father... more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Jackie Brown (1997) more
Soundtrack:
Christmas Medley more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful:-
Promising debut from Anderson, 22 February 1999
9/10
Author: Sean Gallagher (naes@cgocable.net) from Oakville, Ont. Canada

This first film from Paul Thomas Anderson shows the promise he would later fulfill with BOOGIE NIGHTS. The writing here is as sharp as it was in the later film, but it must be said as a director, he sometimes lets scenes go on too long (ironic that BOOGIE NIGHTS, which is a longer film, is also a tighter one). The main connection between both films is Anderson's obvious affection for his characters. Also the relationship between Sydney and John doesn't turn out the way you'd expect. And Anderson is to be commended for avoiding melodrama.

Philip Baker Hall is one of those actors who you may not know by name, but when you see him you instinctively feel he's right for the part, no matter how small. This is one of his rare leading roles, and he's perfect, showing the character's success and also his loneliness, without sentimentalizing it. John C. Reilly is properly eager and naive as John. Samuel L. Jackson is dependable here, and Gwyneth Paltrow proves she doesn't need a British accent to give a good performance. She and Jackson should also be commended for backing Anderson when he had problems with the studio.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Sydney (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Commentary Question lunariari
far and away PTA's worst film City_Lights31
A great little GEM!!! Dissector
PSH playing craps benihana83
Sydney's free room comp technique johnson3000
The end (spoiler) mfox
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