P.T.
Begins!
"Hard Eight,"
also known as "Sydney," is Paul Thomas
Anderson's debut film from 1997. It is a film
that offers a stunning debut for Anderson with
one of the most powerful displays of a
multi-character studies that I've ever seen on
screen.
First, we have Phillip Baker Hall as
Sydney...Hall is simply electric to watch here
as a successful, seemingly compassionate
"player" with enough levels to keep the viewer
guessing and watching and caring. Hall handles
all of these levels with a cool finesse that is
hypnotic to watch.
On the flip side is John C. Reilly's portrayal
of John Finnegan, a down on his luck card player
who is taken under Sydney's wings and turned
into a success. Reilly does more with a look
than many actors can do with an eloquent
monologue. His scenes with Hall are an exercise
in chemistry & poetry.
I've never been a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, but
she's simply perfect here as Clementine...she
offers intimacy yet power that plays wonderfully
with Reilly.
In supporting roles, Samuel L. Jackson, Anderson
regular Phillip Seymour Hoffman, the late Robert
Ridgely and Melora Walters all offer fine
performances.
Shot with a touch of film-noir and a mix of
comedy, drama, action and suspense "Hard Eight"
ultimately has it all. It is cool but not calm.
It is stylish without being fashionable. It is,
quite simply, a damn fine film. I strongly
recommend it.
©
Written by Richard Propes
TC Candler's Comment
This film is
so special to me in many different ways.
Aside from the plot, which rings true to my
experiences in life, this film exposed me to so
many new talents. The most notable birth
here is that of Paul Thomas Anderson, a director
who, in my humble opinion, has become the
preeminent director of our time after only a
handful of films. Each and every one of
his films has achieved an A or an A+ in my
rating scale... An astonishing achievement.
This film also introduced me to John C. Reilly
and Philip Baker Hall. Both of those fine
actors have gone on to bigger success since this
film and they rank as two of my favorites.
Throw in the sublime Gwyneth Paltrow in one of
her finest roles... Add a sprinkle of Samuel L.
Jackson and quick early cameos by Philip Seymour
Hoffman & Melora Walters and you have a
concoction of some of the great talents of our
time. I cherish this film as the beginning
of something special.
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
