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1997, 101 minutes
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson
BLEAK WEEK
Before his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights (1997), writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made his impressive first feature with this low-key drama, balanced by tight direction and exceptional cast.
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), with the situation further complicated by the suave and deadly Jimmy (Samuel L. Jackson).