10 Overlooked First Films By Great Directors
6. Hard Eight - Paul Thomas Anderson
Not to be confused with Paul W. S. Anderson (who makes very different films), Paul Thomas Anderson is considered one of the 21st Century's greatest directors.
Best known for his work on There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, and Licorice Pizza - as well directing music videos for Radiohead, Fiona Apple, and Haim - Anderson's work is often bleak, spotlighting realistic characters with many personal flaws.
His first movie, 1996's Hard Eight, is a bit like that, only way more extreme.
It stars Phillip Baker Hall as a successful Las Vegas gambler who takes a homeless man under his wing. A series of events transpire that lead to the protegee marrying a sex worker and taking a man hostage.
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, eh?
The film is stacked to the gills with star power. Alongside Hall, there's John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Samuel L. Jackson. Not bad for a first go around.
Exciting, gripping, and with a strong cast of enjoyable characters, Hard Eight is well worth taking a gamble on.
Just try not to watch Resident Evil by mistake.