Penn students may not be able to enjoy “Runner Runner” for one reason: Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake), the protagonist, goes to Princeton.
Despite this particular unsavory detail, the movie proved to be a pleasant surprise. Let me quantify: “Runner Runner” will not be hailed as a classic anytime soon. Its lead is weak, and clichés riddle the script. However, for every bad thing in the movie, some good balances it out. That cliché-ridden script runs wild with great one-liners and trots along at a brisk pace, never getting bogged down in too much drama. It focuses on the plot and refuses to let Timberlake try to act too much. Truthfully, the only real word to describe JT in the film is “meh,” but Ben Affleck more than makes up for it as the villain, Ivan Block. His menacing presence throughout the movie is not lost on the audience, who tenses up whenever he appears on screen, not sure what he’ll do next.
Although much of the third act turns out to be very, very predictable, the end still proves to be a satisfying finale. The film is short, sweet and to the point, not dragging its conclusion out any farther than it needs to. For its hour and a half run time, it’s well worth the price of admission.
Grade: B
Rating & Runtime: R, 91 minutes
See if you Liked: “Ocean’s Eleven”
