Hard Eight - English subtitled
Paul Thomas Anderson’s feature film debut is a subtle thriller about an older, mysterious gambler (Philip Baker Hall) who takes a young man (John C. Reilly) under his wing and guides him through the casinos of Reno.
Sydney, a sharply dressed, seasoned poker player, has a soft spot for those down on their luck. When he meets the reckless gambler John – desperate to win money to pay for his mother’s funeral – Sydney steps in as a kind of guardian angel. Under Sydney’s tutelage, John begins to master the art of gambling. But the close bond between mentor and protégé is put to the test when a buried secret from Sydney’s past threatens to surface.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s directorial debut already showcases many of the stylistic hallmarks that would define his later work. The film places a strong emphasis on character development and features sharp dialogues that reflect Anderson’s deep love of (the rhythm of) language. (mv)