Review of Hard Eight (1997) by Christopher M — 07 Jun 2008

Philip Baker Hall is my hero. As is Paul Thomas Anderson. And this film, originally titled Sydney but then changed to Hard Eight, was Anderson's feature-film debut. He has since gone on to pad his filmography with some amazing films, including a couple that I consider masterpieces (Magnolia & TWBB).

This film is very indicative of the style Anderson goes on to establish more firmly in Boogie Nights. The film, set among the bright and voracious lights of Reno, sets off in a very cool way. We see John (played by John C.

Reilly, who rocks in this) sitting outside a diner, in distress over having lost all his money and having to pay for his mother's funeral. He stumbles across a dapper man in a dark suit named Sydney (the indomitable Philip Baker Hall), who offers to help him out.

The film is admittedly narrow in its scope, focusing on a few characters in one location, but it doesn't seem to detract. Among all the cigarettes and the cups of coffee, bathed in the constant flitter of the casino lights, emerged an intensely cool film, that is a very fun watch, and not without its dose of pathos.

The cast really adds a lot to the film, as does Anderson's unparalleled focus. And if you like any or all of his other films (and why shouldn't you?), this is one to seek out.