The Runner
Alchemy
Reviewed by: Tami Smith, Guest Reviewer for Shockya.
Grade: B-
Director: Austin Stark
Screenwriter: Austin Stark
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Connie Nielsen, Sarah Paulson, Peter Fonda
Release date: August 7, 2015
What makes a successful politician? Take Collin Price (Nicolas Cage) a congressman representing the second district of New Orleans. His father Rayne (Peter Fonda) was a politician, he married “well” to Deborah (Connie Nielsen) a talented lawyer, and has some lofty ideas about clean and green environment. And did I mention? He runs every day with a timer strapped on his arm.
Following the BP oil spill that lasted from April to July 2010, Collin sees an opportunity in this horrible disaster. He makes public appearances and gets some TV and print coverage, gives a tearful speech in Washington D.C., and speeches to the unemployed fishermen affected by the disaster, helps them to file insurance damage claims and speaks about stopping oil drilling and converting to clean energy.
All this frenzied activity comes to an end when Collin’s personal indiscretions are exposed by the media. It turns out that Collin had a paid sex session in a hotel room with a fisherman’s wife, all recorded by a hotel’s security camera tape. After this revelation, his life “goes south”. He is forced to resign his post, his wife files for a divorce, his father dies on the operating table, he resumes drinking, and his career comes to come to a screeching halt.
The Runner’s plot is highly melodramatic, with an ironic ending. The marriage between Collin’s and Deborah’s characters is implausible. After all, this power hungry lawyer has “plans” for her man to “run” for a seat at the U.S. Senate. She arranges a meeting between Collin and a wealthy political backer and says to Collin: “I married you not because you were an honest man, but because I knew you were going places” ….and “if you resign I will divorce you” (Hillary Clinton anybody??). Is this woman barking up the wrong tree? Since this “pep-talk” does not work we become hopeful for some honesty when Collin develops some short term intimate relationships with his ex-employee Kate (Sarah Paulson).
Nicolas Cage, who appears on screen 98% of the time, plays Collin as a person with good intentions that lead to a bad outcome. Connie Nielsen does her best as Deborah in a part written for a cold and calculating character striving for upward mobility. Sarah Paulson’s Kate comes out as a naturally vulnerable person going through a divorce and seeking some comfort with Collin. Her performance is hesitant yet real, something most viewers can identify with.
Director Austin Stark conducts this ninety-minute film in a swift manner. Editing done by Michael Miller is choppy at times and skips crucial plot details and timeline. The Runner was beautifully photographed by Elliot Davis in New Orleans, downtown Washington D.C. and Georgetown.
Rated R. 90 minutes. © Tami Smith, Guest Reviewer
Story: C+
Acting: B
Technical: B+
Overall: B-