Movies: Runner, Runner

(Drivebycuriosity) - Gambling is a gigantic business. No wonder that many try to rig this commerce.  The movie "Runner, Runner" tells the story of Richie a smart and tech savvy Princeton student (imdb).  Richie uses his Wall Street background to get rich with online gambling. He goes to Costa Rica and starts there a career in a global casino & online gambling empire, that is run by Ivan an inscrutable American entrepreneur. This relationship yields Richie a lot of Dollars, but comes with a price. Does Richie want to pay that?

"Runner, Runner" is a modern dodger tale set in a somewhat exotic country with the usual clichés about banana republics. It comes with the  usual twists and surprises and spiced with contained action & violence. The movie is primarily a vehicle for its leading actors: Justin Timberlake as Richie plays his typical role: A very easy going dude who conquers the world with brains & charm.  Ben Affleck, as counterpart Ivan, acts as known from him ("Argo", "The Town", "State of Play") as a soft spoken & reasonable guy even in the role of an outlaw. On the contrary the counterpart Gemma Arterton, as the usual trophy woman, is deplorable underemployed.

"Runner, Runner" works as a passable entertainment but will run soon out of my mind.