Hard Eight

I can’t believe this is a debut. At just 25 years old, PTA was already dishing out confident direction to a stacked cast like a pro. Philip Baker Hall is incredible here; he plays Sydney with a cold exterior, but the softness and care toward John & Clementine allow the film to peel back the tough-guy persona. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives perhaps the all-time, single-scene performance - an unbelievable performer.

The Anderson DNA is present all the way back here, especially in those long, dialogue-heavy scenes that remain so impressively engaging - very PTA coded. This focus makes Hard Eight feel tightly character-driven, forcing you to cling to the details, so when eventual revelations unfold, their impact is that much greater.

By no means a favourite of Anderson’s, but I’m impressed by the restraint on display. I think it’d have been easy as a young director to have this cast, this opportunity and go a bit nuts. But PTA keeps the story reserved and honest, the film is better as a result.

yeah sydney was nice up until he realized that the dummies he as helping out were bigger idiots than he gave them credit for, i understand his demeanor change after that. his killing rampage at the end was cool especially the samuel L Jackson kill

Solid movie. Wasn’t great, but was solid.

I can’t believe this is a debut. At just 25 years old, PTA was already dishing out confident direction to a stacked cast like a pro. Philip Baker Hall is incredible here; he plays Sydney with a cold exterior, but the softness and care toward John & Clementine allow the film to peel back the tough-guy persona. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives perhaps the all-time, single-scene performance - an unbelievable performer.

The Anderson DNA is present all the way back here, especially in those long, dialogue-heavy scenes that remain so impressively engaging - very PTA coded. This focus makes Hard Eight feel tightly character-driven, forcing you to cling to the details, so when eventual revelations unfold, their impact is that much greater.

By no means a favourite of Anderson’s, but I’m impressed by the restraint on display. I think it’d have been easy as a young director to have this cast, this opportunity and go a bit nuts. But PTA keeps the story reserved and honest, the film is better as a result.

yeah sydney was nice up until he realized that the dummies he as helping out were bigger idiots than he gave them credit for, i understand his demeanor change after that. his killing rampage at the end was cool especially the samuel L Jackson kill

Solid movie. Wasn’t great, but was solid.