Runner Runner

Films that cover the thriller genre can run the gambit, because the subject matter for them is limitless: heist films, ransom films, espionage films. Couple that with a gambling plot, in this case, an online gambling plot, and you end up with "Runner Runner".

Poor Princeton grad student Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake), believing he's been swindled in online poker, travels to Costa Rica to confront the online gambling tycoon Ivan Block (Ben Affleck). Richie is seduced by Block's promise of immense wealth if Richie works for him. But then when Richie learns the disturbing truth about Block's unscrupulous ways, he wants out. Block is so suspect, that he even has the Gambling Commissioner of Costa Rica, Delegate Herrera (Yul Vazquez) in his pocket. When Agent Shavers (Anthony Mackie) of the FBI tries to coerce Richie to help bring down Block, Richie faces his biggest gamble ever: attempting to outmaneuver the two forces closing in on him.

Others to round out the cast are Gemma Arterton as Rebecca Shafran, girlfriend of Block's and someone Richie can confide in, Michael Esper as Billy 'Pet' Petricoff, Oliver Cooper as Andrew Cronin, Christian George as Wilson, henchman of Block's, John Heard as Harry Furst, Richie's dad, James Molina as Esteban, Louis Lombardi as Archie, Vincent Lareca as Sergeant Barrancas, and Bob Gunton as Dean Monroe.

This was adequately directed with creepy intensity, especially in Affleck's character, by Brad Furman ("Buried Alive in the Blues" (video documentary) '05, "The Take" '07, "The Lincoln Lawyer" '11). With the exception of Afleck, everyone else basically had 'cookie cutter' character developments. This was written by Brian Koppelman and David Levien, and there were a couple of slow moments, and improbable things, just as: why would someone, who's poor, fly down to a foreign land to confront a person that's most likely a dishonest guy? The common guy would never do this, but then there wouldn't be a movie. It's not a bad film--it has potential, but is certainly not a great one.

This film, like I said, has potential. The premise is an interesting one, that if better written, would keep anyone, moi included, on the edge of the proverbial seat.

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                      Rated: R                        91mins.