Hard Eight | Rotten Tomatoes

Hard Eight

R

Released Jan 20, 1996

1 hr. 36 min.

Drama

List

82%

51 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.

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Critics Consensus

An absorbing showcase for Philip Baker Hall, Paul Thomason Anderson's feature debut is a gamble that pays off handsomely.

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M7AMD A

This is a classic 90' movie that includes a lot of dine-in restaurants meeting scenes, some swearing and gambling, and a lot of smoking. lol I did like all the actors in the movie, the way they act and talk to each other felt natural but the story was missing a much better ending than that, while the story revealed some twist at the end and i was looking for more thing from the movie but it suddenly ends! I still don't know what the movie was all about exactly but from what i understood is he was missing the love and affection of his children (he kinda gave a hint while talking to Clementine) and also was looking for some forgiveness for what he had done in the past so he wanted to compensate that by looking after the lost man he met at the begging. however, this movie deserves way better ending. Overall i enjoyed sitting late at night watching it and i definitely would recommend it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/23/23

Full Review

Vito P

The first feature film by a Paul Thomas Anderson who, even in his mid-twenties, shows how to direct wonderfully fleshed-out characters and switch from one genre to another dealing with guilt, friendship, love and redemption.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/02/24

Full Review

Yash B

It's always fascinating to see a director's first feature film. "Hard Eight" is not among my favorites from Paul Thomas Anderson, but it features a lot of his signature style which was cool to see. The story has some slick moments and the characters are always fascinating to watch, which is a trend in any PTA movie. I think he finds the humanity in all kinds of characters and it is something that he's done since his very first film. I felt the story was just okay in this one and thought it could have been more engaging given the premise and setting. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed the performances and dialogue and think it is worth watching for anyone who wants to finish the PTA library of strange and fascinating films.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Well-made Paul Thomas Anderson's feature film directorial debut! Unpredictable plot delivered satisfying 90min experience. The lead and the supporting actors' performance is excellent, too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/22

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Audience Member

Paul Thomas Anderson's first real feature is small in terms of it's physical/locale scale but bold with it's characters and their seedy Vegas-radiating story

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

a.l.jude p

Sadly, unferated yet very effective movie that is effortlessly carried by great performances.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Paul Thomas Anderson

Director

Philip Baker Hall

Sydney

John C. Reilly

John

Gwyneth Paltrow

Clementine

Samuel L. Jackson

Jimmy

F. William Parker

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Christopher Hemblade

Empire Magazine

Just a soupcon of livelier drama would have improved the proceedings considerably.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

This first feature by writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is impressive for its lean and unblemished storytelling, but even more so for its performances.

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

It's done with such intelligence and feeling, and such a brilliant cast, that it grips our attention from first shuffle to last bet.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 17, 2020

Full Review

Dave Giannini

InSession Film

So, is Hard Eight as good as Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, or Boogie Nights? Absolutely not. But for many other directors, this would be a fantastic film to hang your hat on.

Feb 23, 2024

Full Review

Paul Kanieski

KSQD Community Radio

P.T. Anderson’s self-assured filmmaking belies the fact Hard Eight was his very first feature.

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

A solid and unpredictable debut from Paul Thomas Anderson (whose preferred title for the film is "Sydney").

Rated: B+

Sep 1, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

A stranger (Philip Baker Hall) mentors a young Reno gambler (John C. Reilly) who weds a hooker (Gwyneth Paltrow) and befriends a vulgar casino regular.

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Executive Producer: Hans Brockmann, François Duplat, Keith Samples
Screenwriter: Paul Thomas Anderson
Distributor: Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Rysher Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 20, 1996, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $215.6K

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