
"Hard Eight" is a gripping drama about Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), a seasoned gambler who takes a young, down-on-his-luck man named John (John C. Reilly) under his wing in Reno. As John tries to turn his life around, he marries a prostitute and becomes entangled with a brash casino regular, leading to a complex web of personal relationships and moral dilemmas.
Trivia:
1. "Hard Eight" marks director Paul Thomas Anderson's feature film debut, showcasing early glimpses of his distinct storytelling style.
2. Philip Baker Hall's character, Sydney, was inspired by an old gambler Anderson met during his days working in a casino.
3. The film was initially a student project script that evolved into a full-length feature, demonstrating Anderson's growth as a filmmaker.