journal features
movie reviews
photo of the day

movie review - Hard Eight

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Toronto, 2002.10.16

This is a movie about a handful of lowlifes who congeal into a family of sorts that I recommend whole-heartedly. It's a perfectly-paced, brilliantly written and surprisingly simple tale that unfolds towards a desperate conclusion without a false note. And, strangely, I find that in trying to relate even a plot outline does the film an injustice because such an outline would be like telling this one back-to-front. It's the way that this story comes together that makes it what it is. Strongly recommended.

rand()m quote

Before you criticize a man, walk a mile in his shoes. That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away and have his shoes.

—Steve Martin