This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This tongue in cheek, taboo-breaking fest of ridiculousness is a must see for anyone addicted to binge gambling. Any film with a "oops, I pooped my pants on a first date" scene has a place on my Comedy shelf. John Goodman's rambling diatribes and gray pajamas are brilliant, and Courtney Cox... well, she stays with Mr. Elderd's character after he poops his pants... so. While the climax of the film may not be ridiculous enough to be the kind of climax you're hoping for from a film that will leave you with stomach cramps and tears of laughter, oh well.How often do you cry from laughter while watching a movie? Especially if you're not ten years old. If you ARE ten years old, you may even DIE from laughter.Trust me, this is one of the funniest movies of all time.

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.

The Runner was really good, I didn't get bored with it or anything. During the movie I found myself in suspense, in fear, in happiness, yelling at the screen, in doubt, and yes, I once even cried. Good overall acting except for the main character, he sucked (no offense). I recommend you see it.

The Runner is an outstanding movie. it is about a guy with a gambling problem. And the gambler (Ron Eldard) down on his luck with one chance, but his new boss has his own ideas. Also (Courteney Cox) is outstanding. And I give this film a 10 out of 10 Stars.