Review of Hard Eight (1997) by Paul N — 22 Jan 2009
A habitual battler is taken under the wing of a mysterious professional gambler and flourishes under his guidance. It's once he marries a dim waitress-cum-prostitute and hooks up with a shady casino security chief that the wheels fall off.
.. revealing secrets which threaten to destroy all involved. Paul Thomas Anderson's remarkably assured debut feature ratchets up the tension expertly, yet functions primarily as a fascinating character study, acted by some of the best going around (fronted by an Oscar-worthy Philip Baker Hall).
Shot in gorgeous widescreen, featuring compelling, unpredictable characters that feel thrillingly real, this perfectly sets the tone for PTA's subsequent career. Believe it or not, Anderson wrote and directed this stylish, elegiac debut at just 25 years of age.
This review of Hard Eight (1997) was written by Paul N on 22 Jan 2009.
Hard Eight has generally received positive reviews.
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