Amazon.com: Before hitting the big time with his second film Boogie Nights, young filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson impressed critics with this deftly conceived, low-budget film noir chamber piece. With its minimalist plot, deliberate pacing, and brief, but shocking bursts of violence, Hard Eight won't please everyone, but Anderson and his first-rate cast were clearly working on the same authentic wavelength. It's a mystery at first why a solemn professional gambler (Philip Baker Hall in a captivating performance) cares for a down-and-out loser (John C. Reilly) and a dimwit, Reno cocktail waitress (Gwyneth Paltrow). But his motivations become clear--and the movie packs a quietly effective punch--when the gambler faces blackmail by a small-time crook (Samuel L. Jackson). This unheralded film seemed like a closely kept secret itself, until it showed up on the 1997 top-10 lists of several prominent critics. In tandem with Boogie Nights, it marked the arrival of a new filmmaker whose talent is as impressive as that of that other '90s hotshot, Quentin Tarantino. --Jeff Shannon
I Give It A Hard Four I give Hard Eight a solid, four star rating. The movie doesn't have much in the way of a plot, it is often slow and a bit too artsy in certain areas, but what this movie has is great acting and great characters. The story is about an older guy who takes a younger guy under his wing and teaches him how to beat the gambling system. They become close friends, almost like a father and son. A woman enters the picture along with a shady friend and things go whacky. Hard Eight is a solid movie, done very well and entertaining. It leans toward being a classic, yet doesn't make it all the way there (hence the 4 out of 5 stars) but it is certainly worth owning and sits proudly in my collection.
So, so casino movie Better than your typical gambling movies, but left me wanting more depth. A hard eight is a sucker bet (>9% house advantage). So I guess we're left with Syndey trying to cleanup everyone's messy little lives as his hard eight. But, I can't see a seasoned gambler (read percentage player) toss $4k at such a sucker bet unless he considered it his penance for past sins (Atlantic City). I'd suggest "California Split" as a lighter and funnier alternative with a mostly realistic feel, or if you're in the mood for a lucky/loser feel good movie I'd suggest "Let it Ride".
Do you like things? If you like things, you will be surprised to find that you will also like this movie. Hard Eight is a fine movie starring none other than Dr. Steve Brule himself, A.K.A. John C Reilly alongside some very fine actors such as Philip Baker Hall, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Samuel L Jackson.
There are two key scenes in this movie that you must catch. The first one is around the time John and Sydney arrive at the casino. They are in the hotel room and John has to put some shoes on. He has those velcro strap shoes and the camera takes a moment to watch him strap these on. Very important John C Reilly scene. Never forget this one.
The other scene is later in the movie, Samuel L Jackson is sitting in his car wearing his leather jacket. Every subtle move by Mr. Jackson results in the twisting leather sound that sounds so hilariously great. Just listen to him shuffle around in his jacket in that car, it's amazing. Not to mention he has a great line shortly after this where he say's "You shot John's father in the face!".
Classic moments.
Practically a classic movie by now, over 10 years old.
Average A silly story of a gambler that picks up an out of luck person supposably at random and helps him out. These two characters have some adventures. I don't think the story made that much sense. Nor did it keep me particularly interested.
The acting was fair, nothing excited me in the filming.
Hard Eight Before he became famous as the director of "Boogie Nights," Altman acolyte Anderson directed this intriguing indie about three hard-luck denizens of the seedy Nevada casino scene. Anderson's forte (like his late mentor's) is his feel for atmosphere and character, and here he builds "Eight" from quiet, somber drama to shocking neo-noir, especially once Samuel L. Jackson steps into the picture as a blackmailing thug. Reilly and Paltrow (playing boldly against type) shine as tragic casualties of their own low-watt brain cells, and Hall is superb as the heavy-lidded, avuncular gambler with inscrutable aims of his own. If you like a bit of Vegas sleaze with your slow-burning thriller, drop a dime on "Hard Eight."
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