RUNNER RUNNER
US, 2013, 90 minutes, Colour.
Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Gemma Arterton, Anthony Mackie, John Heard.
Directed by Brad Furman.
This is one of those thrillers which might have sounded well worthwhile on paper but that somehow doesn’t quite deliver on screen.
While the setting is gambling, casinos, and the gambling culture in the US and in Costa Rica, it is once again the story of the young man, ambitious, who overestimates his capacities and becomes the victim of someone he admires and then discovers is devious and an exploiter. Memories of such stories as the Grisham’s The Firm.
This time the young man is played by Justin Timberlake, a student who has a father with gambling addiction, who organizes online play at his college campus. Warned by the head of the college, he decides to go to Costa Rica to meet the man whom he considers the top of online and international gambling. He is played with suitable aplomb and ever-growing sinister behaviour by Ben Affleck. Also in the picture is Gemma Arteton who does become involved in the plot but seems to be there more for conventional decoration, and she doesn’t give a very lively or credible performance.
Anthony Mackie appears as one of the more ruthless FBI agents on screen in recent times, relentless in his pressuring of American young men who become involved with the boss and gambling types, who would be arrested as soon as they set foot on American Territory. Also in the mix is John Heard as the hero’s father, being set up to pressurize his son to do whatever the boss asks.
Our hero learns the way of the world in being smart and outsmarting opponents. Having been bashed, he then calls on the help of those who were his opponents but now want the opportunity to get back on the boss.
There are some dramatic moments at the end of the film, reinforcing the cleverness of the hero, especially in his outwitting the boss.
Just OK and watchable while it as on the screen, then out of mind and memory.
1. The world and gambling? Crime, exploitation?
2. An entertainment: Richie and his being young, enterprising? Ivan and his schemes, exploitation? Richie being used? Smart retaliation?
3. An American story, the American College, Richie his voiceover, the students and their debts, his making money? The interview with the dean and the dean’s warning?
4. Richie and his needs, his father’s gambling, payment for his college tuition? His plan, going to Costa Rica, entering a Hispanic world? His settling down? Going to see Ivan, prevented, managing an introduction? Accusing Ivan of swindling him? Ivan meeting him, the reaction, his being welcomed? Richie and his meeting Rebecca, the attraction? His position in the company, the other young American men, Andrew and his skills? The aims? Promoting gambling? In the context of Costa Rica, legislation, bribes?
5. The FBI, the agent and his intrusion, the warnings, taking tough stances? Threatening Richie, threatening Andrew?
6. Ivan, as a person, Rebecca as his assistant, this past relationship? His smooth style?
7. Richie being passed to deliver the money, the bribes, the officials, the confrontation, talk, ignorance, his being bashed, his reaction? His anger with Ivan?
8. The portrait of Richie’s father, Ivan bringing him to Costa Rica, the internment, talking with his son, warning his son? His later being rescued?
9. Richie and the truth, Ivan’s plans, using all the funds and moving on, Andrew and his being beaten, his deal with the group who bashed him, his contact with the captain and his plane? Bribes in bags, delivering to the police? Preparing for his retaliation and escape?
10. Rebecca, going along with the plan, antagonism towards Ivan, defying him? The plan to transfer to Antigua? Getting Ivan on the plane? The irony of the landing in Puerto Rico?
11. Richie and the FBI agent, the deals and promises, Richie leaving on the plane with Rebecca and his father, the anger of the agent, the delivery of the USB and his satisfaction?
12. Richie and his shrewdness, using the captain of the plane, getting Ivan on American territory, his arrest? Richie’s escape and move into a new phase in his life?
