Runner Runner story troubles

Ben Affleck in character (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Having worked with Online Affiliates just as the US legislated against online gambling was passed, I noticed many plot holes in Runner Runner. But these are issues which won't be noticed by most viewers. 

The defect

There is a major story defect in this movie which will affect most viewers.  

The Nemesis Ivan Block (Ben Affleck) is portrayed as a "nice guy" until almost the very end and while he does foreshadow the upcoming betrayal of the finale, his character maintains the image for most of the movie. Since he never confronts the Protagonist Richie Furst (Justin Timberlake) 
the main character is passive, repeatedly emulating his master and never challenging or supporting an opposing point of view.   This translates into increased shut-eye during the movie...

How it permeates the plot

To better understand the ramification of this type of antipattern we consider Two additional characters: Agent Shavers (Anthony Mackie) whose actions are implausible kidnaping and planting drugs and blackmailing the protagonist. Also the Romance character,  Rebecca Shafran (Gemma Arterton). Since Ben Affleck is so "nice" he does not mind that his girlfriend has an affair with Richie Furst and so despite very minor tension the affair is not consummated and the relationship is a low stakes one. This becomes a problem later on when the Romance chooses the protagonist over the nemesis. This hardly seems credible as they have not consolidated their relationship and Rechie is hardly a match for Ivan. 

Bottom Line

Ben Affleck in Argo was at the peak of his acting career. But this is not argo - it is a low stakes story about high stakes gamblers. I gave it 3 points out of 10.