Hard Eight

Paul Thomas Anderson became a household name in 2007 when his very dark, very poignant masterpiece known as `There Will Be Blood' swept the critics circle and delivered to Daniel Day-Lewis is second Best Actor Oscar. Sure, Anderson had made a dent in the late 90's with `Boogie Nights', but to be honest it wasn't until that shocking bowling pin scene in `Blood' that the world opened their eyes and realized that this mad had something to say.

Rewind back to 1996, before `Boogie Nights' fever was ignited.

`Hard Eight' (or `Sydney') is a small and quiet film about one mans search for redemption. In the films opening scene Sydney approaches down-and-out loser John and offers him help. It's a mystery as to why Sydney would care about this stranger, but we (the audience) play along and wait for all to be revealed. Sydney and John high-tail it to Vegas where John falls in love with Clementine, a cocktail waitress that sells her tail on the side. John also befriends Jimmy, a sordid fellow who knows too much information for his own good.

The film is really a blank canvas, allowing the actors to do what they do best; act. The entire cast (or should I say, the four main stars) all do a remarkable job with the material. John C. Reilly is one of my favorite supporting actors working today. He just has this naturalness about him I adore, and here he has it in spades. He's like a puppy dog, the way John walks around Sydney with apparent admiration. The final phone conversation ("I love you too") is heartbreakingly telling of this mans true talent. Gwyneth Paltrow also delivers a strong performance here, playing off her own restrained sense of charm; and Samuel L. Jackson proves once again why he was probably the best supporting actor of the 90's (I mean, really; between this, `Jungle Fever', `A Time to Kill', `Pulp Fiction' and `Jackie Brown', he was on fire).

But this movie is all about one man; Philip Baker Hall. With a restrained sense of emotional compliance Hall finds the soul of Sydney and manages to show us everything he stands for and everything he longs to become. His performance is so subtle, so controlled yet it bleeds with realism and it feels so complete. He offers us a look at a man detached from himself, for it is the only way he can cope with his own actions.

But, the films downfall, like I mentioned, is that it is a blank canvas. The plot is very thin, to a fault almost. The film works, mainly because of the performances within it, but to be honest I really would have liked a little more meat on the bones. Because of the fact that there are very few moments of real action and not a lot of character to develop the film can tend to drag in areas.

Overall the film is well worth watching, for Hall alone even. It is a rewarding film that marks the beginning of Anderson's fruitful career. It may be his least impressive film overall, but it is still a very good film and it sports a slew of dynamic performances.

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.

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".

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.

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.