Will “The Running Man” Have Box Office Legs?

There’s a common misconception that Edgar Wright‘s “The Running Man” is a remake of the 1987 Schwarzenegger action flick of the same name.  While it’s true that they are both inspired by the same Stephen King novel, the ’87 version had surprisingly little to do with the book.  In contrast, this latest interpretation follows the original storyline quite closely.  For some, this will be a disappointment.  For others, this will rival “The Long Walk” as the best King film adaptation of the year.

Originally written in 1985 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, “The Running Man” takes place in an authoritarian, alternate version of 2025.  The upper and middle classes have never been more divided.  Work is scarce, wages are low, and talking to a union rep will get you blacklisted.  Affordable healthcare is nonexistent.  Instead of rising up against the oligarchy, the ruling class pits the lower-class citizens against each other.  Most of this propaganda is delivered through a non-stop “FreeVee” television that villainizes anyone different and features a multitude of life-or-death game shows with the chance of life-changing cash prizes. Maybe it’s not that alternative of a reality after all?

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) has worked a multitude of dangerous blue-collar jobs.  He’s lost most of those, including the latest, by standing up for others in need.  This nobility has gained him nothing except unemployment and a righteous rage that constantly boils under the surface.  His wife, Sheila (Jayme Lawson), is working around the clock to help provide for them, but when their daughter gets sick, Ben sees no other choice but to try out for some of the games at the Network Building.  He has no intention of entering “The Running Man,” but the devilish Network head, Dan Killian (Josh Brolin), is able to tempt him with the chance of giving his wife and daughter a better life, whether he survives or not.

This kicks off Ben’s journey, which isn’t as much running as one might expect.  Instead, it’s a series of hideouts with various locals, learning that they are living in the same or worse conditions than he has.  As his understanding and empathy for others grow, so does their support of him.  These moments of relative calm are often punctuated by bursts of short kinetic action sequences, which lead us to the next hideout or town.  This journey is pretty close to the one described in the book, but with more humor, action, and a less cynical touch.

I can’t imagine a better actor than Glen Powell for this particular role.  We’re supposed to root for Ben, but with all that anger and general rudeness, it could be difficult to like the character. Powell is able to let his charm and compassion show through, even while screaming and flipping off the system.  He also manages to balance the tightrope between “everyday guy” and “invincible action hero.”  This is not a man who has any sort of fight or military training.  Instead, he’s the guy who has worked hard his entire life, in the worst situations, and managed to live through those.  He’s a survivor.  Colman Domingo, who plays the gregarious game show host, “Bobby T” is another example of perfect casting.  Domingo goes above and beyond, devouring every scene he’s in.  Lee Pace is the most subdued of these three performances but still gives another great performance as the masked lead hunter, “McCone.”

Some have complained that this movie isn’t Edgar Wright-enough.  That it’s not quirky enough, or there isn’t enough rhythmic action.  I disagree.  They say that the best magic tricks are the ones you don’t notice.  In the film world, this phrase is often used to point out exceptional visual effects.  In this case, I believe Wright has crafted the exact movie he wanted to make.  Powell has stated that in many scenes, he had an earbud with a metronome track playing, so that his walking and other movements would perfectly match the beat of the music that would be used in that scene.  In addition, there are shots that clearly have Wright‘s fingerprints all over them.  “The Running Man” may be one of his most “mainstream” films, but also one of his most timely and socially significant movies.