Runner-Runner-Quad-PosterHaving won the biggest, most prestigious award in world cinema with his most recent directorial endeavour Argo, many had envisaged a string of high-quality, well-selected projects for Ben Affleck, in a bid to follow up such a grand triumph at last years’ Academy Awards. It’s therefore something of a surprise to see him pop up in Brad Furman’s Runner Runner, playing a generic villain in a conventional Hollywood thriller. A puzzling choice for Affleck to say the least – and let’s not even get into the Batman debate.

Affleck plays Ivan Block, a shady entrepreneur who runs an immensely successful gambling website – a site that has caused him so much bother with the FBI, he’s moved out to Costa Rica to live. However he has a new task on his hands with fervent college student Richie (Justin Timberlake), who heads out to the Central American nation to confront Block after suspecting the website of cheating him out of his school funding money. However the potentially hostile coming together soon turns into a business opportunity for Richie, who finds himself sticking around a little longer than he had imagined – a decision no doubt aided by the fact he takes a liking to Block’s secretary, Rebecca (Gemma Arterton).

The problem with Runner Runner, is how everything falls into place so exceedingly comfortably for our protagonist, so much so that it becomes laughable. For instance, when he arrives in Costa Rica – a foreign country he hasn’t ever been to before, he gets approached at the airport by a random promoter. Turns out they know each other online and instantly he has himself a new friend and colleague. The way he gets close to Block is absurd too. At first his attempt to track down the elusive figure and confront him for the website’s misdemeanours, seems to be the overall premise – as a potentially arduous task. However he finds – and befriends – the billionaire within moments.

That aside, there is a fun sense of ambiguity to Runner Runner, as we never know quite who to believe. Timberlake reflects the audience in that respect, as he’s caught between the FBI’s version of events, and that of his new employer, Block – as both sides give conflicting accounts of what is occurring, and we, much like our protagonist, don’t know who to trust. Timberlake plays the lead well, using his natural charm and charisma to great effect, as an actor who certainly knows how to carry a film. Sadly, the same can’t be said of Arterton in this instance, though it’s not her fault – she has been dealt with a poorly devised character, and as such is criminally underused. She’s just mere eye candy in this, and given how talented an actress she is, it’s a real waste. In fact, this film is lacking in any strong, female lead – and the less said about the chemistry between herself and Timberlake the better, in one of the most obvious and contrived romantic narratives you’ll see for a while.

There is no denying that there is fun to be had with Runner Runner, as a fast paced and captivating action flick that does little to offend. However it’s far too generic and stays within the boundaries of the genre, from the hackneyed premise to the use of music – it’s all so frustratingly conventional. It feels like Furman hasn’t taken any risks or tried to offer anything new to the table, as though his version of success is to just blend into the crowd, and boy does this blend.

[Rating:2/5]

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