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Hard Eight (1997)
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Paul Thomas Anderson Director

Also known as Sydney internationally, Hard Eight is Paul Thomas Anderson's directorial debut. Philip Baker Hall stars as the titular character, an aging gambler who takes a down on his luck hump (John C. Reilly) under his wing. But why? Backstories unravel in this Vegas drama (with some comedy.)

Reference: Double Indemnity

The John character says he doesn't carry matches because they explode in his pocket, which is the same reason Barton Keyes in "Double Indemnity" gives for not carrying matches.

Quote: John Finnegan

I will fuck you up if you fuck with me, OK? I know three kinds of Karate: Jujitsu, Aikido, and regular Karate.

4 More Quotes

Writers
	Paul Thomas Anderson	written by

Cast
	Philip Baker Hall	Sydney Brown
	John C. Reilly	John Finnegan
	Gwyneth Paltrow	Clementine
	Samuel L. Jackson	Jimmy
	F. William Parker	Hostage
	Philip Seymour Hoffman	Young Craps Player
	Nathanael Cooper	Restroom Attendant
	Wynn White	Waitress
	Robert Ridgely	Keno Bar Manager
	Kathleen Campbell	Keno Girl
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blog	Hard Eight (Review)	etragedy
review	A great sleeper in the understated crime genre (4 out of 5)	etragedy
blog	Directed Viewing: Paul Thomas Anderson and "Hard Eight"	litrock
review	sydney (4 out of 5)	TheLawnWrangler

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Currently 3.66/5
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25 votes, 3.7 avg.

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General Information Edit

Name	Hard Eight
US Release	Feb. 28, 1997
UK Release	Oct. 17, 1997
AUS Release
Runtime	101
Language(s)	Add a new language English
Genre(s)	Add a new genre Crime Drama Thriller
Theme(s)	Add a new theme indie
Rating	R
Alias(es)	Sydney, hard 8