LEAD
CAST: Justin Timberlake, Gemma Asterton, Anthony Mackie, Ben Affleck,
DIRECTOR: Brad
Furman
SCREENWRITER:
Brian Koppelman, David Levien
PRODUCER:
Arnon
Milchan, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Shamberg,
Stacey Sher
EDITOR:
Jeff McEvoy
MUSICAL
DIRECTOR: Christophe Beck
GENRE: Mystery, Suspense, Drama
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Mauro Fiore
RUNNING
TIME: 91 minutes
DISTRIBUTOR:
20th
Century Fox
LOCATION:
US,
Puerto Rico
Technical
- 3
Moral
- 3
MTRCB
Rating - R13
CINEMA Rating: Age 14 and above
Richie
Furst (Justin Timberlake) is on the lookout for the cheaters who rub out his
money over online poker. The money he lost is intended to pay for the school
tuition of his graduate studies. His search brings him to a remote place where
he meets Ivan Block (Ben Affleck), the corrupt owner and host of the online
game. Surprisingly, the two click and become friends. But being in
illegal business, the FBI is after Ivan. The officers are convinced that
Richie being once a victim himself can be an asset to track Ivan down and fall
on the hands of the law. The chase after the gambling culprit appears to
be never ending but the term runner is also figuratively refered to Furst as
the runner of Block for anything that he needs.
Runner Runner has an impressive plot that
tackled the online gambling cheating. It uses voice over that helps to
establish a central character portrayed by Timberlake. There are delivery of
meaningful lines especially when Richie realizes that gambling runs in the
family emanating from his very own father who happened to be bosom buddy of
Ivan. Actingwise, Timberlake and Affleck are commendable in this film. Those in
support roles are not behind in their portrayals too. The cinematography gave a
treat of summer sceneries. Overall, Runner
Runner has the ingredients of a film that keep up to its technical
qualities.
It
is a noble act to desire for higher studies and especially if the person works
hard to pay for it. There is no shortcut to achieve a sweet success. The movie
shows that getting money from gambling is wrong and that the school
administrator does not tolerate any illegal action like gambling for this
matter. The school clearly sets out the consequences should anyone figure
on this prohibited act. However, human weakness like allurement of money and
wealth victimizes the character of Furst (Timberlake) in the film. But it
was never late for him to get over from the pigeon hole that he gets into.
He felt sorry that gambling actually runs in the family that he has been
very part of it from the very start. Nevertheless, it did not stop him to go to
the side of the law and to set him free.
There
is no upside in gambling. In any way, it will take over a person -- wealth,
body and soul. In the same way, a corrupt person should pay for every crime
that he commits.
