Hard Eight (Paul Thomas Anderson’s debut, 1996) Imprint Blu-Ray #14 NEW/SEALED

Before his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this low-key drama. John (John C. Reilly), a half-bright loser stranded in Reno, is down to his last few bucks when Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall), taking pity on him, buys him breakfast and offers him a few tips on making money in the casinos. Two years later, John has become Sydney’s partner, but his lack of common sense goes from problematic to dangerous when he falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a cocktail waitress who isn’t above turning a few tricks when she needs to make money — and isn’t any brighter than John.

Hall and Reilly, both first-rate character actors, are cast in rare leading roles, and Paltrow is cast strongly against type as a part-time prostitute with a serious lack of street smarts.

DIRECTOR Paul Thomas Anderson CAST Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melora Walters

CONDITION New/Sealed
COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE Australia
REGION B (please ensure your machine will play the disc)
LABEL Imprint
NUMBER OF DISCS 1
RUNNING TIME 102 mins
SPECIAL FEATURES audio commentary by director Paul Thomas Anderson and actor Philip Baker Hall, audio commentary by director Paul Thomas Anderson, actor Philip Baker Hall, Michelle Satter (Sundance Film) and various crew members, deleted scene: “The Kiss”, Sundance Institute Filmmaker Lab scenes, theatrical trailer, Limited Edition slipcase with unique artwork on the first pressing of 1500 copies
LANGUAGE(S) English
SUBTITLES English
ASPECT RATIO 2.35:1
RATING MA 15+