Runner Runner Review starring Justin Timberlake & Ben Affleck

I just saw Runner, Runner with Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck. This is a movie about a college student (Timberlake) that gets caught up in the world of online gaming. He is playing poker and is extremely good at it. He winds up losing all his money. Timberlake finds that the game he was playing in was rigged. He decides not to take the loss lying down and goes to Costa Rica to confront the owner of the website he was playing on.

The owner of the site is Ben Affleck. His character is name Black. He comes across suave but becomes sinister as the movie progresses. Black is able to bring Timberlake's character (Furst) into his world and convinces him to work for him. Black's world is appealing and full of gambling, sex and parties. There is a female interest name Rebecca. Her character is played by Gemma Arterton.   Black and Furst have mutual interest in Rebecca. This triangle lead to complications between the two.

 

The authorities show up in the character of an FBI agent named Shavers, played by Anthony Mackie. He offers a chance to get out of this exotic but seedy world.Timberlake is face with staying with Black and enjoying this playground or turning him in.

This movie will appeal to Justin Timberlake fans and all poker/gambling enthusiasts.

The AGA is using this film to drum up support for online gaming legislation. The AGA wants a federal law that will have uniformity for casino operators and players.The current situation is state by state rules. Regulations would offer an alternative to gambling illegally on casino games, slots, poker and sports betting. The chief executive officer and president of the AGA, Geoff Freeman, issued the following statement.

“The plot of  Runner Runner centers on illegal online poker and unscrupulous offshore operators, dramatically underscoring the risk American consumers face in a poorly-regulated market.  The film underscores the AGA’s message to lawmakers about the urgent need for online poker regulations in the United States,”

 

 

 

Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey have online gaming plans either in place or proposed. New Jersey just announced they will start their internet gambling on November 26. They will have a
trial period of 5 days prior to insure they are ready to go live.
That is what most casinos do to make sure all of the kinks are out when the public starts
spending money.


I enjoyed this movie because I have spent the past 3 years researching this subject. I also like Justin and Ben so I could identify with their portrayals.  Ben is the stronger of the two in the development of his role. This movie could easily be a true story. Since the film is done in a voice over by Justin, the plot never lifts off to draw the non gaming viewer in. I can only give it 2 stars out of a possible 4.

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