Hard Eight (Sydney) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, F. William Parker ... see more see more... , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Melora Walters

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 ... read more read more...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, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

9,501 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

33 critics

R, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Paul Thomas Anderson

Release Date: January 20, 1996

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 5, 1999

Stats: 796 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Hard 8 Hard Eight (Sydney) Hard Eight (Sydney) Hard Eight (Sydney)
Upload a Photo | View All Hard Eight (Sydney) Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (796)

  • brooklynspo
    November 20, 2007
    brooklynspo
    A commanding performance by Philip Baker Hall is the highlight of P T Anderson's character and mood driven debut.
  • fb100002359227440
    December 26, 2011
    fb100002359227440
    Shocking and entretaining, Hard Eight is a film with good acting and terrific screenplay.
  • fb100001048934982
    November 22, 2011
    fb100001048934982
    Paul Thomas Anderson's debut film 'Hard Eight' is a twisty little film that continually satisfies the patient viewer. Anderson was able to flesh out amazing performances from all his actors, and they had a pretty well-developed script to follow as well. The cinematography is also... read more excellent, but we now know that as something of a template for most of his films.This is a brilliant debut thriller, a true sign of things to come with PT Anderson
  • lewiskendell
    February 4, 2011
    lewiskendell
    "Bottom line, Sydney. No matter how hard you try...you're not his father."

    I consider myself to be a die-hard Paul Thomas Anderson fan. I love the guys work, I think he's a brilliant writer and director, and There Will Be Blood, Punch Drunk Love, and Magnolia are all among my fa... read morevorite movies (Boogie Nights is up there, too).

    With that said, Hard Eight didn't do much for me.

    I just didn't find it interesting. Maybe it was the characters, or maybe the casino setting (which always has a hard time interesting me in any movie). Maybe his writing skills just weren't fully developed, yet. Whatever the reason, despite great actors like Philip Baker Hall, Samuel L. Jackson, and John C. Reilly, Hard Eight is the only P.T.A. movie that I haven't enjoyed. I didn't hate it, but I probably won't be watching it again any time soon.
  • paulkoh110
    January 21, 2011
    paulkoh110
    Being a first movie for Paul Anderson, this was an directorial achievement! The story was genius, the acting was cleaver, and the overall film was just well executed. Underrated but a classic!
  • stevenecarrier
    July 8, 2010
    stevenecarrier
    Paul Thomas Anderson's impressive debut, "Hard Eight", is a lofty character piece but as a crime/drama it hits some familiar notes. What makes the film ultimately work is that Anderson can coax such strong performances out of his cast.
  • ythelastman89
    February 17, 2010
    ythelastman89
    It's not as personal or well constructed as his later works, but it's a very, very impressive crime drama/character piece. I love almost every single performance, aside from Philip Baker Hall (but it's not really the movie's fault). It's got above average cinematography and beaut... read moreiful storytelling that is surprisingly touching. I think the main problem and only problem with it is really that it isn't quite that ambitious. It doesn't quite go where it theoretically should. However, it's not something Paul Thomas Anderson should be ashamed of.
  • matertenebraum
    July 12, 2009
    matertenebraum
    Paul Thomas Anderson's first movie and wow what an entrance to make. Its refreshing to see a film maker making films with characters that you care about and fine dialogue. Why dont people talk in movies any more? If you think the same watch this film. This film is an absolute tre... read moreat right from the opening scene, a true hidden gem which didnt even get a release in the UK!!! You will see some of the finest performances in film and be warned you will remember these characters for the rest of your life.
  • TheMachinist
    June 7, 2009
    TheMachinist
    Paul Thomas Anderson's debut feature might be a disappointment to those who are fans of his work but haven't seen this one yet.

    'Hard Eight' aka 'Sydney' is very slow paced, calm in fact. P.T Anderson is a talented screenwriter, his following movies are proof of that. The dialo... read moregue in 'Hard Eight' is also similar to his other movies but pretty much everything in this movie; the script, dialogue, cinematography, pacing etc is a showing of things to come.

    John C. Reilly, Philip Baker Hall in the lead roles and Philip Seymour Hoffman, who does a short appearence as a gambler, have continued, as of today, their co work with Anderson. Reilly has improved his acting a lot from this movie. I'd even say that he is the weakest of 'em all in 'Hard Eight'. Hall is very good in the lead as Sydney but I would've enjoyed to see more of Hoffman, who's a favourite of mine.

    The story is simple and unsurprising. But like I said earlier, all of this is proof of things to come. P.T Anderson does show glimps of his talent with some slick camera work and excellent use of music. I've always enjoyed the music in his films and 'Hard Eight' was no exception.

    I did enjoy 'Hard Eight' but I guess it's no surprise to you that I love his work. 'Magnolia', 'There Will Be Blood', 'Boogie Nights' are all excellent films. So, if you're a fan of his work, please do give this one a look but don't expect to see another masterpiece.
  • middleeasternfilms
    January 20, 2009
    middleeasternfilms
    A good start for then-young filmmaker Anderson. Features his regulars Hall, Hoffman and Reilly and even Samuel L Jackson. If you get anything out of this film, it's good ways to take casinos for free rooms and shit like that.

View All Hard Eight (Sydney) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Kevin McManus
January 22, 2002
Kevin McManus, Washington Post

Anderson coaxes top-notch performances from the male leads and also from Gwyneth Paltrow. Full Review

Bruce Westbrook
January 1, 2000
Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

Has ... meaning and truth, not to mention scarred humanity.

Stephen Holden
January 1, 2000
Stephen Holden, New York Times

It is really little more than a small resonant mood piece whose hard-bitten characters are difficult to like. But within its self-imposed limitations, it accomplishes most of what it sets out to do. Full Review

Ruthe Stein
January 1, 2000
Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

Noirish thrillers live or die by their plot twists and dialogue... Unfortunately, the script by first-time filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson fails on both counts. Full Review

Mary Brennan
January 1, 2000
Mary Brennan, Film.com

It's hugely refreshing to watch a movie populated almost exclusively by character actors.

Joe Baltake
January 1, 2000
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

This being an acting piece, the four performances are of a very high order. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

There's something almost hypnotic about the way Hard Eight develops -- even in its slowest, most tedious moments, it keeps our attention. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Movies like Hard Eight remind me of what original, compelling characters the movies can sometimes give us. Full Review

John Hartl
January 1, 2000
John Hartl, Film.com

Best of all is Anderson's sense of character, expressed in dialogue that never strains for effect and in his expert handling of a first-rate quartet of actors.

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

We get to see Jackson play one of his scarier characters.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Punch-Drunk Love
    Punch-Drunk Love (100%)
  • Casino
    Casino (64%)
  • Following
    Following (20%)
  • The Cooler
    The Cooler (62%)

More Movies like Hard Eight (Sydney)

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Hard Eight (Sydne... : Watch Free on TV

Hard Eight (Sydney) Trivia

  • Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly both had major roles in "Magnolia" and what gambling-themed movie?  Answer »
  • What's the name of the director ot these movies: Hard Eight (Sydney), Magnolia and Boggie Nights   Answer »
  • Which actor starred in all three of these movies: Hard Eight (Sydney), Magnolia and Boggie Nights   Answer »
  • Which actor starred in all three of these movies: Hard Eight (Sydney), Magnolia and Boggie Nights   Answer »
More Hard Eight (Sydney) Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Hard Eight (Sydney) Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Hard Eight (Sydney) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?