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Hard Eight

Original title: Sydney
  • 19961996
  • RR
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,269
84
Hard Eight (1996)
Trailer for Hard Eight
Play trailer1:43
2 Videos
99+ Photos
CrimeDrama
Professional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.Professional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.Professional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
50K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,269
84
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Stars
      • Philip Baker Hall
      • John C. Reilly
      • Gwyneth Paltrow
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Stars
      • Philip Baker Hall
      • John C. Reilly
      • Gwyneth Paltrow
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 187User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos2

    Hard Eight
    Trailer 1:43
    Hard Eight
    A Guide to the Films of Paul Thomas Anderson
    Clip 2:14
    A Guide to the Films of Paul Thomas Anderson

    Photos115

    Gwyneth Paltrow in Hard Eight (1996)
    Gwyneth Paltrow in Hard Eight (1996)
    Hard Eight (1996)
    Hard Eight (1996)
    Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly, and Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly, and Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly, and Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, John C. Reilly, and Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Philip Baker Hall in Hard Eight (1996)
    Samuel L. Jackson in Hard Eight (1996)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Philip Baker Hall
    Philip Baker Hall
    • Sydney
    John C. Reilly
    John C. Reilly
    • John
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    Gwyneth Paltrow
    • Clementine
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Jimmy
    F. William Parker
    F. William Parker
    • Hostage
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    Philip Seymour Hoffman
    • Young Craps Player
    • (as Phillip Seymour Hoffman)
    Nathanael Cooper
    • Restroom Attendant
    Wynn White
    • Waitress
    Robert Ridgely
    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
    Melora Walters
    • Jimmy's Girl
    Jean Langer
    • Cashier
    Andy Breen
    • Groom
    Renee Breen
    • Bride
    • Director
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Writer
      • Paul Thomas Anderson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Paul Thomas Anderson's original title for this film was "Sydney". Since it was his first film, and he had basically no control over it (much less final cut, like he's had on his other features since), Rysher Entertainment re-cut the film and retitled it "Hard Eight". This enraged Anderson, and through many talks and deals, he convinced the studio to let him release his cut, but with the new title "Hard Eight". Anderson later said this experience taught him that doing your best to make the best possible movie was only "half the job" when being a director. The other half was dealing with all of the egos involved.
    • Goofs
      At 30: The craps table that Sydney walks by shows players cheering, but the cover (lid) and count slip are on top. If it were a real game there would be no cover.
    • Quotes

      Sydney: You know the first thing they should've taught you at hooker school? You get the money up front!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Private Parts/Hard Eight/Donnie Brasco/Smilla's Sense of Snow/Booty Call (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Christmastime
      Music by Jon Brion and Michael Penn

      Performed by Aimee Mann and Michael Penn

    User reviews187

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    The promising debut of Paul Thomas Anderson
    'Hard Eight' may not be one of Paul Thomas Anderson's best, his later films being more complex and more refined, but even when Anderson was not at his best he was much better than most directors in that position.

    For a feature film debut, 'Hard Eight' is still very promising. It does have moments of lethargic moments, the odd clunkiness and the ending is somewhat anti-climactic, but the potential seen throughout the film is enormous and from the start it is obvious that 'Hard Eight' knows its own strengths and makes the most out of them.

    It looks impeccable, even when not very experienced in directing at this particular point Anderson's distinctive style is evident here with the long takes and tracking shots that suggest a Martin Scorsese influence. It's a beautifully shot film, and even if not as refined as his later films Anderson shows great promise as a director, showing a knack for visual style and excellent direction of actors. The music is suitably atmospheric, sometimes quirky, sometimes ominous and sometimes elegant.

    Much of the script is very naturalistic and remarkably feels like the characters are talking like real people. It's tautly structured and thought-provoking too. 'Hard Eight' is a film quite light on plot, but rich in characterisation, not a bad thing considering that it is essentially a character study. The storytelling is still quite nicely done though, and while the characters are not the easiest to like there is a compelling realism about them and they're interesting.

    Phillip Baker-Hall is magnetic in the lead role, in a performance of towering sincerity, while John C. Reilly matches him very well with an appealing gawky charm, Gwyneth Paltrow is charming and moving and Samuel L. Jackson brings plenty of flesh and succeeds in making the character too much of a retread of previous characters. Philip Seymour Hoffmann makes a very entertaining if somewhat too brief appearance.

    Overall, very promising debut from Anderson though he went on to even better things with meatier material and an even more refined style. As is evident from the superb 'Boogie Nights'. 8/10 Bethany Cox
    helpful•11
    4
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Jul 2, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 28, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sidney: Juego y prostitución
    • Filming locations
      • Jack's Cafe - 2200 Victorian Avenue, Sparks, Nevada, USA
    • Production companies
      • Green Parrot
      • Rysher Entertainment
      • Trinity
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $222,559
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $69,486
      • Mar 2, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $222,559
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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