102 mins |
Rated
R16 (Violence & offensive language)
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
Starring John C. Reilly, Samuel L. Jackson, Philip Baker Hall, Gwyneth Paltrow
Playing as part Academy Cinemas' Paul Thomas Anderson Spotlight March 2nd- 5th.
Before his commercial breakthrough with BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this masterful gambling/crime character study. In his first film, Paul Thomas Anderson tells the story of rise and crushing fall of the "American Dream", as if it is seen from the smoky alleys of American bars, motels, car parks, casinos, and diners, inhabited by its homeless and explosive characters. The picture premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996.
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.
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Playing as part Academy Cinemas' Paul Thomas Anderson Spotlight March 2nd- 5th.
Before his commercial breakthrough with BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this masterful gambling/crime character study. In his first film, Paul Thomas Anderson tells the story of rise and crushing fall of the "American Dream", as if it is seen from the smoky alleys of American bars, motels, car parks, casinos, and diners, inhabited by its homeless and explosive characters. The picture premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 1996.
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.