Hard Eight (1997): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Hard Eight is a 1997 drama thriller directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring John C. Reilly and Philip Baker Hall. It runs 1 hour 41 minutes and earned $224,126 worldwide. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 1998. Critics gave it 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 41m (101 min)
- Director
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Hard Eight About?
The premise of Hard Eight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A seasoned gambler, Sydney, encounters John and Clementine, who are struggling with their own hardships. He decides to help them, but as he becomes involved in their lives, his carefully guarded composure begins to fade, revealing a compassionate side. However, the reappearance of figures from his past jeopardizes his efforts and forces him to confront dangerous consequences to safeguard those he cares about.
Hard Eight Cast
John C. Reilly leads the cast, with Philip Baker Hall. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
-
Director Paul Thomas Anderson
More from Paul Thomas Anderson
More films directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, best-rated first: Phantom Thread, There Will Be Blood, Licorice Pizza and Boogie Nights.
Hard Eight Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Hard Eight 82% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 82% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 83%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 78 Metascore
User score 7.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
Hard Eight Plot Summary
What happens in Hard Eight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sydney Brown, a well-dressed senior gambler, notices John Finnegan, a homeless man, outside a Sparks, Nevada diner. He offers a cigarette and buys him a cup of coffee. John explains that he went bust in Las Vegas and desperately needs $6,000 for his mother’s funeral. The duo heads to Las Vegas, where Sydney uses his calm, composed manner to help John win the money. What begins as a risky gambit soon blossoms into something more lasting: two years later, John becomes Sydney’s protégé, forming a quiet, almost paternal bond with the older man. John is steady and loyal, though unsophisticated, and he befriends a security worker named Jimmy who is drawn to Clementine, a Reno cocktail waitress who also moonlights as a prostitute.
Full summary
The whole story of Hard Eight, scene by scene
Hard Eight Box Office
Hard Eight grossed $224,126 worldwide. $222,559 came from the US and Canada and $247 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$224.1K
- US & Canada
- $222.6K
- International
- $247
Hard Eight Awards & Nominations
Hard Eight earned 5 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 1998.
5 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1998 5 nominations- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best First Feature
- Nominated Best First Screenplay – Paul Thomas Anderson
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Philip Baker Hall
- Nominated Best Supporting Male – Samuel L. Jackson
Hard Eight Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Hard Eight.
How Well Do You Know Hard Eight?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the nickname of the senior gambler who helps the homeless man?
Cars in Hard Eight
14 cars on screen, including the 1982 Buick Regal and the 1975 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu.
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1982 Buick Regal Important role -
1975 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu Important role -
1986 Plymouth Gran Fury Important role -
BMW 8 E31 Background role
Hard Eight Also Known As
24 alternative titles, including “Tvrdá osma” and “Sydney”.
- Also known as
-
- Tvrdá osma
- Sydney
- Sidney
- 리노의 도박사
- Роковая восьмерка
- Sydney: juego, prostitución y muerte
- Vivir del azar
- Jogada de Risco
- Passado Sangrento
- ハードエイト
- Teška osmica
- Last Exit Reno
+12 more Show fewer
- 赌城纵横
- Double Mise
- Sidney (Hard Eight)
- A szerencse zsoldosai
- 赌场纵横
- הימור כושל
- Сидни
- Sėkmės aštuntukas
- Gambler
- Ryzykant
- กลเกมอำมหิต
- Подвійна ставка
Seen Hard Eight?
Hard Eight FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Hard Eight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Hard Eight?
Hard Eight runs 1 hour 41 minutes (101 minutes).
When was Hard Eight released?
Hard Eight was released on February 28, 1997.
Who directed Hard Eight?
Hard Eight was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.
More films by Paul Thomas Anderson Who is in the cast of Hard Eight?
Hard Eight stars John C. Reilly and Philip Baker Hall.
How much did Hard Eight make at the box office?
Hard Eight grossed $224,126 worldwide ($222,559 domestic, $247 international).
How is Hard Eight rated?
Hard Eight has 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Was Hard Eight nominated for any awards?
Hard Eight received 5 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Hard Eight have a post-credit scene?
No. Hard Eight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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