Hard Eight (Sydney)

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Hard Eight (Sydney)

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Hard Eight (Sydney)

Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Philip Seymour Hoffman

John has lost all his money. He sits outside a diner in the desert when Sydney happens along, buys him coffee, then takes him to Reno and shows him how to get a free room without losing much money. Un...( read more  read more... )der Sydney's fatherly tutelage, John becomes a successful small-time professional gambler, and all is well, until he falls for Clementine, a cocktail waitress and sometimes hooker.

Id: 11069701

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Hard Eight (Sydney) Recent Reviews
  • stopitgoaway
    July 12, 2009
    stopitgoaway
    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 more)at 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 more)gue 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.
  • QueenCityFilms
    February 4, 2009
    QueenCityFilms
    PTA is an alien. No way this dude is from this planet...to make his first feature THIS solid...excellent cinematography, kickass actors on board the project, stellar script...what the fuck PTA? Damn alien!

    See this movie if you like PTA...it's up there with his best work.
  • 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.
  • RCCLBC
    December 10, 2008
    RCCLBC
    As a "debut feature film", this is remarkably well done. As a Paul Thomas Anderson film it is plainly just his "first steps" towards brilliance.

    No one can tell a story which encapsulate the troubled (often tragic) reality of the human condition like Anderson.

    As far fetch...( read more)ed and bizarre as his characters can sometimes seem at first glance...there is always something frightfully familiar in their flaws and pain. That's the magic of his work.

    The cast here is amazing as is the writing and direction.
  • RThornhill
    December 10, 2009
    RThornhill
    recommended by myfavchords.
  • myfavchords
    December 10, 2009
    myfavchords
    This is a great early film by Paul Thomas Anderson. Philip Baker Hall and John C. Reilly give outstanding performances. The characters are interesting for the entire film. Definitely check this one out.
  • dukeakasmudge
    October 30, 2009
    dukeakasmudge
    VERY good movie.The ONLY movie I liked of John C. Reilly where hes not in a comedy
  • Phonex
    June 8, 2009
    Phonex
    Paul Thomas Anderson can be only a good teacher. U can learn how to make a film technically , but his films are telling nothing. Here u are SYDNEY. Full of emptiness.
  • hanmartin
    May 5, 2009
    hanmartin
    Perfect in so many ways. One of P.T.s first movies and also one of the top ones. Baker Hall and the rest are great. Hoffman knows what to do!
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