Hard Eight

Flighty cocktail waitress Gwyneth Paltrow disrupts the partnership of a professional gambler John C Reilly and his young protégé in this contemporary film noir. Las Vegas lowlife, including Samuel L Jackson's corrupt security guard, are put under the spotlight in this early offering from Paul Thomas Anderson, who went on to distinguish himself with Boogie Nights, Magnolia and There Will Be Blood. A riveting and impressively believable drama.