![Image](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BYTkxN2NmM2YtOTUzNy00YWVkLTkxYTQtYjkyZDQ4NDMzNTMwXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE0MzQwMjgz._V1_QL75_UX500_CR0,26,500,281_.jpg)
With a busted lip and a bursting heart, an arm gone weirdly numb and pounding feet punishing a pair of pink Nikes throughout, Marija, as played by breakout Žygimantė Elena Jakštaitė, bears “Runner” aloft from frantic start to fraught finish like an Olympic torch.
An 87-minute-long anxiety attack masquerading as a movie — but in a good way — Lithuanian filmmaker Andrius Blaževičius’ sophomore feature is a kinetic portrayal of an extraordinary young woman paradoxically trapped at a psychological impasse. For all its adrenalized, blood-rush rhythms, the contrast makes “Runner” remarkably humane, as the nature of Marija’s mission yields unexpectedly trenchant insights into the sacrifices that carers will make for the ones in their care. Many pounding thrillers are about men and women running for their lives; few are about running — careening, hurtling to the brink of breakdown — for someone else’s.
The torch-carrying metaphor is appropriate: Marija is...
An 87-minute-long anxiety attack masquerading as a movie — but in a good way — Lithuanian filmmaker Andrius Blaževičius’ sophomore feature is a kinetic portrayal of an extraordinary young woman paradoxically trapped at a psychological impasse. For all its adrenalized, blood-rush rhythms, the contrast makes “Runner” remarkably humane, as the nature of Marija’s mission yields unexpectedly trenchant insights into the sacrifices that carers will make for the ones in their care. Many pounding thrillers are about men and women running for their lives; few are about running — careening, hurtling to the brink of breakdown — for someone else’s.
The torch-carrying metaphor is appropriate: Marija is...
- 9/1/2021
- by Jessica Kiang
- Variety Film + TV
imdb.1eye.us, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.