The Runner
The Runner
| 09 September 1999 (USA)
The Runner Trailers

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

Reviews
SincereFinest disgusting, overrated, pointless
Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.
Janis One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.
Phillipa Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
dewdrop1648 My friends and I being huge Courteney Cox Arquette fans bought (it was actually cheeper to buy than to rent) this movie just because it had her in it and cause David Arquette had a cameo. But after watching it I was glad I had bought The Runner so I could watch it over and over again. This movie is very suspenseful, dramatic, and even has some laughs mixed in. While the movie was playing we found ourselves yelling at the screen and even crying near the end when there is fear of a death(for you who have seen the movie know which scene I'm talking about). Also when the movie is over it seems to haunt you and makes you think. Not very many movies have had that effect on me. The actors in the movie made it what it is. Really great performances by all. Ron Eldard(who I remember from ER)did a great job of portraying a hopeless gambler who just wants to fix his life. John Goodman who is normally a hilarious guy(such as in Roseanne) took a turn to the dark side in this movie and creeped me out! If I saw him today on the street I would probably say "You scare me". But that just means he is an actor who can play any character very well. Lastly, Courteney Cox Arquette I think steals the whole movie. This isn't just because she is my favorite actress. More than likely anyone who will see this will think "wow she's good in this". That's because most people only know her from Friends and don't know that sitcom actors can act dramatic,and well at that. So to sum it up, if you havent seen this movie you should.
Arnold-7 Like many others, I came across The Runner by accident. In my case, I just happened to turn to the Mystery Channel on cable here in Tokyo as it started. I was intrigued enough by the title to see who was in it. Then the opening shot that draws the viewer into Las Vegas drew me into the movie. I had no idea what a "runner" is, but I soon learned a few things about Las Vegas I had never imagined. And then I got caught up in the story of the loser that keeps getting another chance. Of the many fine points about this movie, the one that stands out for me is the script. In particular, John Goodman's "insights" into the dilemma faced by fathers as their little girls grow up will probably stick with me the longest.
Iwould Maybe the acting is a little rude, maybe the directing is a little anonymous, maybe there's a little too much "Leaving Las Vegas" influence on the story (which maybe is not the worst thing you can say about the script). But, if only all the (many) films about gambling had been so honest about the abysses of horrors where gamblers live every second of their lives, then maybe people would have a more realistic, less charming idea of them.The story is so honest about the losing that I really think the writer talks about personal experience. I do.
tmeade This is a great movie, John Goodman is great, if you like John Goodman this is a movie not to miss. I give this movie 10 stars on the fact is was a hard movie to play, I feel the actors in the movie gave it there best, and you feel like you are in the movie. I can't tell you too much it will take away from the movie.