Hard Eight is a 1996 crime drama starring Philip Baker Hall as Sydney, a professional gambler who teaches a young man named John (played by John C. Reilly) the tricks of the trade. John becomes Sydney’s protégé but ends up falling for a cocktail waitress (Gwyneth Paltrow) who moonlights as a hooker. The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson and includes brief appearances by Robert Ridgely, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Melora Walters.

Hard Eight is writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson’s first feature, expanded from his short film Cigarettes & Coffee (1993).

Watch the trailer below:

“Hard Eight – Trailer” by YouTube Movies

For an interview with Paul Thomas Anderson and a breakdown of the filming of ‘Hard Eight,’ check out the following in-depth article: Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Hard Eight’, AKA ‘Sydney’: “It’s Always Good to Meet a New Friend”.

Nevada Filming Locations

Mostly filmed in Sparks and Reno, the entire production was shot in just twenty eight days and edited in three weeks.

Reno filming locations included:

• Peppermill Hotel Casino
• Eldorado Hotel & Casino
• Horseshoe Club
• Sands Regency Hotel and Casino
• Sundowner Hotel Casino
• Ace Motor Lodge

Sparks filming locations included Jack’s Cafe and Nugget Casino Resort (formerly John Ascuaga’s Nugget).

Pictures of some of these locations can be viewed here: Hard Eight (1996) Filming Locations

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