Hard Eight (Sydney)

Hard Eight (Sydney) (1996)

  • 82% of critics liked it
    (33 reviews)

  • 80% of users liked it
    (9,508 ratings)

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 last few bucks when Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall), taking pity on him, buys him breakfast and offers… More

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R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By
Paul Thomas Anderson
Written By
Paul Thomas Anderson
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
Jan 20, 1996 Wide
On DVD
Oct 5, 1999
MGM

Critic Reviews

  • Kevin McManus, Washington Post

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

  • Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle

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

  • 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.

  • Mary Brennan, Film.com

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

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

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

Read all 10 critic reviews

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)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Bob S


    A commanding performance by Philip Baker Hall is the highlight of P T Anderson's character and mood driven debut.

  • Lucas M


    Shocking and entretaining, Hard Eight is a film with good acting and terrific screenplay.

  • Kase V


    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… More

  • Lewis C


    "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… More

  • paul o


    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!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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