Hard Eight (Imprint Collection)

Before his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this low-key drama. John (John C. Reilly), a half-bright loser stranded in Reno, is down to his last few bucks when Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall), taking pity on him, buys him breakfast and offers him a few tips on making money in the casinos. Two years later, John has become Sydney's partner, but his lack of common sense goes from problematic to dangerous when he falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a cocktail waitress who isn't above turning a few tricks when she needs to make money – and isn't any brighter than John.

Critic Reviews:

• " It's done with such intelligence and feeling, and such a brilliant cast, that it grips our attention from first shuffle to last bet. " – Michael Wilmington (Chicago Tribune)

• " This first feature by writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson is impressive for its lean and unblemished storytelling, but even more so for its performances. " – Jonathan Rosenbaum (Chicago Reader)

• " The film doesn't rush, it's not self-absorbed in the Tarantino fashion, it just clicks along relentlessly, picking up power, particularly as threats develop to Sid's well-ordered view of the world. " – Stephen Hunter (Baltimore Sun)