The Runner (1999)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Ron Moler

Writers:

Dustin Abraham (story)
Anthony E. Zuiker (screenplay)

Genre:

Drama | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Never make a bet you can't afford to lose.

Plot:

A compulsive gambler finds his new family's safety seriously threatened by a ruthless gambling boss.

Plot Keywords:

Gambling | Dog | Pregnancy | Las Vegas Nevada | Human Relationship

Cast

Ron Eldard	...	Edward
Courteney Cox	...	Karina
John Goodman	...	Deepthroat
Joe Mantegna	...	Rocco
Bokeem Woodbine	...	477
David Jensen	...	Nosey Bettor (as Dave Jensen)
John David Conti	...	Larry Chewcluck
Terrence Evans	...	Lefty (as Terrance Evans)
Gary Grossman	...	Jeweler
Steve Schirripa	...	Host
Lucy Lin	...	Chinese Dealer
Ai Wan	...	11 Card Chinese Dealer
John Buchanan	...	Black Jack Dealer
Joey Miyashima	...	Dr. Andrews
David Arquette	...	Bartender

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and some violence.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Portugal:M/16 | Argentina:16 | Germany:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company:

Aspect Ratio Film

Quotes:

Edward: Please tell Karina I found the perfect way to stop gambling: Have a son.

Soundtrack:

The Light

Took my breath away....

This film is amazing...

I ordered it off of the internet being a HUUUGE Courteney Cox Arquette fan and when I watched it, the film and especially Courteney completely blew me away...

The main character is Edward played by Ron Eldard (Deep Impact) who has a SERIOUS gambling problem. He is recommended to the malicious Deepthroat (John Goodman) for a Runner job by his uncle Rocco (Joe Magneta) who is trying to get himself out of a serious situation. There is one condition, Edward cannot, under any circumstances gamble. Will he do it?...

Edward meets a beautiful, young casino waitress called Karina (Cox Arquette). She's the kinda girl "you'd kill your brother for" (hehe, my favourite line :D) He inevitably ends up falling in love with her and she falls pregnant.

There is so much suspense in this film I was actually physically shaking by the end, and my nails certainly didn't survive it!!

As for the performances: Ron Eldard is pretty good, although he does get slightly annoying and you feel like screaming at the screen at him... John Goodman is genuinly terrifying and disturbing as Deepthroat, a man that seems to have no soul whatsoever. The stand out in this film is definatly Courteney Cox Arquette though. She's simply... breathtaking in the role, and the labour scene at the end, in my opinion, is oscar winning stuff (no joke whatsoever)

It's a shame that this film didn't do better because I'd love to see Courteney getting the recognition for dramatic acting that she deserves.

Overall, on the strength of the amazing storyline and Courteney (especially Courteney :D) I give this film a definate 10 out of 10!!