A stranger mentors a young Reno gambler who weds a hooker and befriends a vulgar casino regular.
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
prostitute
casino
cheating
gambling
gambling debt
blackmail
male friendship
hostage-taking
las vegas
Rank
#47 in 1997·#2853 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Philip Baker Hall
Sydney
John C. Reilly
John
Gwyneth Paltrow
Clementine
Samuel L. Jackson
Jimmy
F. William Parker
Hostage
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Young Craps Player
Robert Ridgely
Keno Bar Manager
Melora Walters
Jimmy's Girl
Richard Gross
Floorman
Ernie Anderson
Pants on Fire Person
Jake Cross
Pants on Fire Person
Crew
Paul Thomas Anderson
Director
Paul Thomas Anderson
Writer
Jon Brion
Original Music Composer
Michael Penn
Original Music Composer
Robert Elswit
Director of Photography
Daniel Lupi
Co-Producer
Richard King
Sound Designer
Mark Bridges
Costume Design
Mark Weingarten
Production Sound Mixer
Fred Raskin
Post Production Assistant
John Patitucci
Musician
Casey Stone
Sound Engineer
Popular Reviews
1179 reviews
Hannes
6.2★ · 04/13/26
1
Gustavo
6.0★ · 03/15/26
More like hard three. PTA’s style is apparent but this movie does not do it justice, choppy dialogue that I did not like. John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow do deliver elite performances but everyone else is just not invested.
More like hard three. PTA’s style is apparent but this movie does not do it justice, choppy dialogue that I did not like. John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow do deliver elite performances but everyone else is just not invested.
1
sarah
9.4★ · 12/01/25
1
sarah
8.0★ · 12/01/25
sydney is badass
sydney is badass
1
H
8.0★ · 10/09/25
I really liked Sydney’s character a lot.The film feels a bit slow at times but I still enjoyed it Can’t wait to explore more of PTA’s work!!!
I really liked Sydney’s character a lot.The film feels a bit slow at times but I still enjoyed it Can’t wait to explore more of PTA’s work!!!
