“I’m a mack daddy pimp! You know that!” —Lester
Today’s quick review: Running Scared. After Tommy Perello (Johnny Messner) shoots a dirty cop in a drug deal gone bad, he gives the gun he used to Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker) to dispose of. But disaster strikes when Oleg (Cameron Bright), the boy who lives next door, steals the gun and uses it to shoot his abusive father (Karl Roden). Now Joey must find Oleg and take back the incriminating gun before either the police or Tommy can get their hands on it.
Running Scared is a stylized crime thriller about a runaway boy carrying a valuable piece of evidence. The movie chronicles the events of one chaotic night as Joey tries to catch up with Oleg before it’s too late. Along the way, Oleg encounters some of the worst people in the city, while Joey tries to hide the truth from Tommy. Running Scared has an interesting setup and a unique plot, but it’s peculiar tone and flawed execution make it a mixed bag.
Running Scared has a very particular vision in mind. The movie is meant to be a modern-day fairy tale, following Oleg through the urban equivalent of the woods at night as he stumbles from one unspeakable situation to the next. The movie accentuates Oleg’s fear and confusion with stylized visuals, including exaggerated camera work and a skewed color palette. The movie never quite gets into horror, but parts of it are still off-putting.
Running Scared has an equally distorted story. The premise works well for a thriller, with plenty of opportunities for Oleg and the gun to slip through Joey’s grasp. But the story is awash with misplaced drama. Rather than focus on the criminal underworld Joey inhabits and Oleg stumbles into, the movie throws Oleg into unrelated situations that strain credulity. Even the main plot takes a dive near the end thanks to a couple of clumsy plot twists.
Running Scared is a unique movie, in terms of both premise and execution, but it may have a hard time finding an audience. The exaggerated scenarios and stylization will not appeal to some viewers, especially those who go in expecting a straight crime thriller. Even viewers with a taste for the bizarre will have to gamble on the specifics of the movie’s vision. Interested viewers should give Running Scared a shot, but others should approach with caution.
For a violent, manic action movie that’s distorted in similar ways, try Shoot ‘Em Up. For a crime drama with a similar tone, try Hostage. For a gloomier crime drama with similar plot elements, try Rage.
7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for an odd vision with mixed follow-through.