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If you're not already a Paul Thomas Anderson fan, this film would be a great introduction to his work although I do think it's distinctly different from his later work. This is not Boogie Nights and this is not Magnolia. I would personally posit that this film is not up to par with Magnolia but accomplishes something that neither of the other two films does. It establishes a central character who is engrossing and holds the entire film together.

Philip Baker Hall is a superb actor and the other characters of the film revolve around him with precision. Mark Wahlberg in Boogie Nights does not even begin to come close to this performance. The difference with Boogie Nights is that there is so much emphasis on the other characters while they are not relating directly to Dirk while in Hard Eight, everything in the film is related as it pertains to Sydney. And I really wish that more directors and studios would trust the great underrated actors to carry entire films themselves because Philip Hall really does that here.

When I first heard and read about this film I was under the impression that John C. Reilly was the star, but that's not really the case. He's the sidekick really. And he does a great job, like he always does. I think I could watch John Reilly perform sections from the Yellow Pages and be captivated. He is perfection. And even Gwyneth Paltrow couldn't fuck this movie up. Hahahah. Sorry folks, I don't think much of Mizz Paltrow. She is a passable actress, but honestly, she is one of those performers who is terribly overrated and only got into the business in the first place not because of talent, but because her daddy is best buds with Speilberg. Besides, she's a stick person.

Phil is in this film for a grand total of three minutes and three seconds. That's the length of his scene. But he's worth watching for, as always. He is sporting the worst hair I've ever seen on him so far and he is lively in that way that only Phil can acheive with such limited screen time and space. He acts with his entire body at all times and that is one of the many aspects of his acting which sets him apart from and above other actors. Because he hails from a theater background, he is used to having to have his entire body seen by the audience and thus he is a consummate performer. And he's wonderful.

This film satisfied me. It did drag on quite a bit in the beginning and I was relieved when Sydney's motives were *finally* reveiled by Samuel L. Jackson (a pleasant bonus though I must shake my head at yet another 'kill the black guy' film). It wasn't really necessary to withhold that information for as long as it was held. But all in all, this film is not for everyone, but it is good. And worth watching for a brief and energetic appearance from Phil.