I saw the trailer for this film at the time of its release, I mainly remembered it because of the actors, and because it was something to do with gambling, so I watched it, directed by Brad Furman (The Lincoln Lawyer). Basically Princeton graduate student Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake) is a former Wall Street broker, a couple of years ago he lost everything in the stock market. To support himself and pay the institution Richie promotes online gambling in Priceton, he is denounced by a student, Dean Alex Monroe (Bob Gunton) threatens to expel for these activities, after his ultimatum he stops. Using his excellent poker skills Richie decides to bet all his savings in a high stakes poker game to finance the rest of his graduation, however he loses all his money, and discovers he was swindled by Ivan Block (Ben Affleck), who runs the biggest empire of online gambling websites in the world. Richie travels to Costa Rica to confront Ivan at a gambling convention, there he meets his ex- lover and employee Rebecca Shafran (Gemma Arterton), she gives him an invitation to Ivan's party, there Richie meets with Ivan, who refunds his money and invites him to work for him. Richie is seduced by the offer and expects to become rich, he moves to Costa Rica, but then unethical FBI Agent Shavers (Anthony Mackie) presses him, he wants Richie's assistance to convict Ivan, as he has no jurisdiction in the corrupt country. Richie is stuck in the middle of remaining with Ivan and the organisation and not crossing with the wrong people, or following the law, but he does find out some truths about Ivan, and using his intelligence and money he will do whatever it takes to get out. Also starring Oliver Cooper as Andrew Cronin, Sam Palladio as Shecky, Jeannine Kaspar as Ashley, David Costabile as Professor Horstein and John Heard as Harry Furst. Timberlake does prove himself a good actor as well as a singer, Affleck is alright as the corrupt businessman, and Arterton is only in it to look beautiful, the editing may be pacy, especially the gambling sequences, but the story is predictable, and the majority of the film I felt bored, it is a fair but almost forgettable crime thriller. Adequate!

This is my first review, this movie made me leave what I was doing and write this very simple and honest opinion. I am Costarican, born and raised... and I don't think who ever decided to give us a Cuban accent, whether it was Ben Affleck, Brad Furman, Brian Koppelman or David Levien, clearly doesn't know squat about my country... This was not the only insulting fact; the Cuban and Colombian music was also a very big and distracting fact, I did not see Costa Rica reflected on this movie at all, not even the shots are real, the streets, the places, its all fake, it looks like it was filmed in some place in Mexico or Colombia... I know you are probably ready this and thinking it doesn't matter to you, you're deciding whether to watch the movie or not... well, let me help you there, watch it if you'd like but if you're not a Ben Affleck fan or a Justin Timberlake fan there is nothing here for you... A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME...

Runner Runner has been a massive hyped film since it's release but the general consensus is that the film is a disappointment. However in some cases the film does not shine through its talented cast but the cast is what here goes by to an extent through entertainment. The definitions come together in Runner Runner, which takes place in the world of online gambling. Justin Timberlake plays Richie Furst, a Princeton student trying to pay his way through university by steering others toward gambling sites, for which he gets a small commission.When the Dean tells him to stop, he turns to actual online gambling, but quickly loses his bankroll. Being a brain, he runs the numbers and figures that the only way he could have been beaten so soundly is if someone was cheating. So he goes to Costa Rica, whence Ivan Block (Ben Affleck) runs the site in comfortable exile. Following through several series of predictable manner, we see the film unfold but it could have been done is a better fashion. Entertainment but do not expect much.

First rate movie showing the dangers of gambling especially on line gambling.A whizz kid student is duped by an on line gaming site, so he seeks to find out why from the boss of the gaming site.....The film has a thoughtful and intelligent script with plenty of drama and sufficient action.I cannot understand why the voters on IMDb give such low voting.During the picture I needed to ask who was the charismatic young lead actor.This movie scores highly for me as it reveals realistically the dangers of betting on line.8/10