Review of Runner Runner (2013) by Tazio G — 11 Mar 2014

Ivan Block: That little voice in the back of your head right now, it's not conscience, it's fear.

"You have no idea who you're playing with".

Outdated much? Runner Runner struggled to excite me. The general concept was there to build some decent entertainment, but the story is so overused and predicable lacking any thrills. From point A to point B, you already know what's going to happen and there's no sense of suspense looming over you. The dialogue makes for some of the worst lines included with awkward acting by the likes of both Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck. Timberlake I though was a miscast because he's proven to be a solid actor (The Social Network, Alpha Dog) and Affleck (The Town, the new Batman!) hams it up to the notch. Forget about even talking Gemma Arterton too. While certainly something to look at, her role is nothing but a one note love interest. Anthony Mackie then decides to appear randomly as some tough F.B.I agent who should be in a different movie. Everything else is simply ok. Directing wise, Brad Furman disappoints. His direction isn't too bad to say although it seems quite lazy and not having any care. The writing could have some originality and this would have been an easy popcorn viewing.