Film review: Runner Runner Ar-go and play this time

MANILA, Philippines - After his triumphant directing and acting stint in Argo, Ben Affleck returns to the big screen via Runner Runner, out to “play” this time by taking on the role of a suave, evil on-line gambling boss, with all the charm of a rattlesnake. He’s the foil of Justin Timberlake’s “good man caught in an ever worsening situation.” The film takes on the dark side of online gambling, out to prove that no matter in what form, gambling will always be for some the road to desperation and ruin.

Directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer), the film chronicles the life of Princeton Finance student Richie (JT), who works as an affiliate for a gambling site, in order to pay his way through college. Forced by the university authorities to desist from his extra-curricular activities, Richie goes online himself to gamble his meager savings to have enough money to see him through to his degree. He loses it all and discovers he was systematically cheated. He flies to Costa Rica to confront the site’s boss, Ivan Block (Ben). There, he’s seduced to work for Block. Complications arise when Richie is approached by an FBI agent (Anthony Mackie) out to bring Block down, he discovers there is something shady about Block’s operations, and he falls in love with Block’s right hand woman (Gemma Arterton). How he’s caught between two opposing forces both ready to use him as a pawn in a deadly game is what makes the film’s plot.

Ben is obviously having fun as Block, stretching to show he can play a film’s heavy, a man with no redeeming values. Mackie is also a joy to watch, taking full advantage of every time he’s onscreen — look out for Mackie in the wonderful black comedy/crime caper Pain and Gain. It’s JT who, while earnest, doesn’t seem to find the spark to make us share in Richie’s anguish and indecision. Having said that, the film does provide entertainment value and should be a crowd favorite. As for Ben fans, this will suffice while they wait for Gone Girl and Batman.