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Movie:		8.0
Picture:		6.0
Sound:		8.0
Extras:		8.0
Score:		8.0

Director(s):	Tim McCann
Writer(s):	Bill True
Starring:	Robin Tunney • Terry Kinney • Aaron Stanford • Peter Gerety • Michael Gaston
Genre:	Drama
Release Date:	December 08, 2009

List Price:	DVD - $23.99
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Whenever I hear anything about Aaron Stanford, it’s usually because he’s on one of those “(Insert Number) Actors to Watch in (Insert Year)” lists. This is not for nothing; he’s very talented. Though not every movie I’ve seen him in has been outstanding (the last two X-Men movies weren’t exactly Academy darlings), he puts everything he has into a role.

Such is the case for his performance in Runaway, a 2005 indie thriller about Michael, a young man who runs away with his little brother Dylan to protect him from their abusive father. They hide out in a shoddy motel room, and Michael works at a nearby convenience store to make ends meet. He tries to take care of Dylan the best he can on a bodega clerk’s paycheck, but things are stressful. Being on the run and all, Michael can’t let his little bro do any of the things he wants to, like play outside, for fear that he’ll be seen, or watch TV, for fear that he’ll rack up the bill. He makes up for it, or attempts to, by putting his own basic needs (most notably sleep) aside, along with his sanity.

Michael starts a pseudo-relationship with his co-worker Carly (Robin Tunney, another fine thespian), a fiery older woman trying to get her GED. Their relationship is tense at first (unsurprisingly since she’s kind of a bitch), but they slowly start to get used to and enjoy one another’s company. Eventually, though, she begins to notice that there’s something a little off about Michael. Though she throws herself at him he resists, leading to an inevitable disclosure of his secret.

Interspersed with Michael’s interactions with his brother and new friend are flashbacks of his misery at home and his meetings with therapist (Terry Kinney), all of which offer insight into why Michael felt he had to take such drastic measures as to kidnap his brother. He’s clearly a disturbed young man, but doesn’t appear to be dangerous, just very lonely and somewhat sad.

Stanford plays the put-upon older brother well. His Michael is wistful, angry and thoughtful, albeit stifled because of his ward. There’s a haunted look in his eyes, paving the way for a dark secret just itching to divulge itself. When it does, you probably won’t have seen it coming, but will wonder why you didn’t. It’s a sad one, with fittingly sad results.

Despite a few odd camera angles which seem to be attempting artiness, Runaway is pretty engaging. It doesn’t always make complete sense or seem totally plausible — can a guy really keep a little kid under wraps for that long without engendering even a little suspicion? — which is why Michael’s secret will seem so obvious after the fact, but it’s a fair film. Stanford and Tunney play well of each other, and that twist is oddly pleasing despite its tinge of unoriginality.

DVD Bonus Features

You can watch Runaway with commentary by Stanford, Tunney, and director Tim McCann. There’s also “Cut, Good: The Making of Runaway,” a mini behind-the-scenes documentary, an interview with screenwriter Bill True, and a photo gallery.