In the neonlit world of Reno, Nevada, John (John C. Reilly), an aimless loner, sits down outside an all-night diner. A distinguished and mysterious older gentleman, Sydney (Philip Baker Hall), offers John a cup of coffee, a cigarette, and a chance to tell his own story. Suspicious of Sydney's motives, John reluctantly accepts a lift into town.
Once they arrive in the casino, John is given 50 dollars by Sydney and is told how to work the casino. For some reason, Sydney has an urge to impart his knowledge and skill to a protegé and a strong father-son bond is forged.
Two years on, John falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow), a part-time hooker who serves drinks at the casino. Sydney happily accepts her into the family. But John's friendship with Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson), a shady operator with a big smile and no heart, spells danger. What Sydney doesn't realise is that the greatest danger to the wellbeing of his family actually comes from within…
Paul Thomas Anderson, at the tender age of 25, has assembled a high-voltage cast for his debut feature. Actor's actor Philip Baker Hall is joined by three hot younger talents - Reilly (who starred in last year's Cannes entry Georgia), Paltrow (also to be seen this year at Cannes in both Emma and The Pallbearer), and Jackson, who shot to fame in Quentin Tarantino's Palme d'Or winner Pulp Fiction.
The other signs are good, with producers Robert Jones (The Usual Suspects) and John Lyons (the casting director for the Coen brothers) on board. Lyons is also involved with the Sundance Institute's Director's Lab, through which Anderson developed the script for Sydney.
The film showing at Cannes is the director's own version, which he apparently insisted on submitting alongside Rysher's cut, which it is selling as Hard Eight. The Cannes selection committee, ever keen to promote young talent, preferred to go with the young director's view of things. Nick Thomas
Prod Co: Rysher Entertainment/Green Parrot for Samuel Goldwyn
Prod: Robert Jones, John Lyons
Dir/Scr: Paul Thomas Anderson
Ph: Robert Elswit
Prod des: Nancy Deren
Costumes: Mark Bridges
Music: Michael Penn, Jon Brion
Editor: Barbara Tulliver
Cast: Philip Baker Hall, John C. Reilly, Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson
Running time: 100mins
International sales: Rysher
