Perhaps it's unsurprising that Paul Thomas Anderson's often overlooked first film is a meandering, coincidence-conscious neo-noir. 'Hard Eight (1996)' clearly shares the same DNA as much of the now well-renowned director's work, particularly 'Magnolia (1999)' and 'Boogie Nights (1997)'. In some ways, the piece doesn't really seem to be about anything. However, it's primarily a character-study of Philip Baker Hall's somewhat enigmatic Sydney and, as such, has more than enough substance to keep you engaged throughout. The plot does come in distinct chunks but it's delivered at a decent pace and it's never predictable. The chemistry between the two leads makes for some endearingly entertaining sequences, with the 'fun' of the duo's gambling cheats being aptly conveyed. Things do begin to feel a little stale, but a twist shakes things up right when they're at their least interesting. After this, the flick piles subtle revelation on subtle revelation to make for an unconventionally exciting final act. It all gets a bit mysterious, in a way. You can't quite put your finger on what the climax is supposed to be saying; then again, it may not be saying anything at all. Overall, this is a solid first effort. It's not conventional or exactly enthralling, but it's well-conceived and enjoyable nevertheless. 7/10
Review of Hard Eight
