Paul Thomas Anderson

Hard Eight - 3/5

This movie is a gambler drama, more focused on the family-style dynamics and hotel room banter than the actual gambling. It uses the sleazy underbelly of the casino nightlife as the backdrop for its plot, but for the most part eschews it onscreen. John C. Reilly and Philip Baker Hall absolutely carry the film, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Sam Jackson giving solid performances as well. Dialogue and character study are the main draws here, and the story wraps up in a nice, solid ending.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Gambler by way of Punch Drunk Love.

Setting: Casino Drama
Plot: Crime Drama
Tone: Family Drama