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Runner Runner – a film for online gamers.
Runner Runner is a film that’s perfect for today’s gamer. The whole storyline is based around online gambling but has the bonus factor of the majority of the movie being shot in sunny Costa Rica rather than in a darkened room in front of a pc screen! There are lots of stunning shots of Costa Rica as it’s where the main character, Richie Furst, goes to challenge the owner of an online gambling site that he believes has ripped him off in an online poker game.
Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake star in Runner Runner. Affleck plays the role of the owner of the online gaming site, Ivan Block. With his real life success at various poker events during the years, including the World Series of Poker Main Event, Affleck probably didn’t have to do much research to flesh out the role! Timberlake meanwhile plays the role of Richie Furst, a Princeton student who uses online gambling to fund his education.
He’s already in trouble as he’s been caught gambling on campus, and is threatened with being kicked out. Nonetheless he decides to risk everything he has with last game, and then loses. However, as he feels he has been cheated by the site, in desperation he goes to Costa Rica to confront the site owners.
Of course, in the real world, none of this would happen. Online gambling sites are heavily regulated so that the player is protected and all of them advocate sensible gambling restrictions. So don’t worry the next time you click to play slots at bgo.com – you can play with confidence!
In Runner Runner, when Richie first tries to meet up with Ivan Block, Block treats him dismissively and sends Furst away. But the next day Block calls him to offer him the chance of working at his company – Midnight Black. He accepts but it doesn’t take long for Richie to understand he’s caught in a series of deceits and conspiracies and that his new boss is a lot more sinister than he imagined.
As a sub-plot, Richie falls in love with Block’s girlfriend Rebecca – played by Gemma Arterton (of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunter fame), so there’s a love triangle element too. There’s also an FBI agent who’s chasing down Block. Agent Shavers is played by Anthony Mackie, who injects some light humour moments into the film.
Runner Runner was released in 2013 and directed by Brad Furman. To add to its all-star credentials, Leonardo di Caprio produced it. For anyone who enjoys playing online games, Runner Runner is a great yarn, although it might make playing at home feel rather safe in comparison!
See the trailer below:
Director: Brad Furman
Screenplay: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Producers: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Arnon Milchan, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher
Music: Christophe Beck
Cast:
Richie Furst: Justin Timberlake
Ivan Block: Ben Affleck
Rebecca Shafran: Gemma Arterton
Agent Shavers: Anthony Mackie
Billy ‘Pet’ Petricoff: Michael Esper
Andrew Cronin: Oliver Cooper
Wilson: Christian George
Delegate Herrera: Yul Vazquez
Harry Furst: John Heard
Esteban: James Molina
Archie: Louis Lombardi