Run (2020)

By the time you hit the fifth of its eight episodes you may find yourself yelling at the screen in amazed delight.

An energetic hybrid of rom-com and action thriller whose half-hour episodes move as swiftly as the vehicle that is their primary setting.

An exhilarating exercise in dark and bracingly original romantic comedy. [13 - 26 Apr 2020, p.5]

It takes a while for “Run” to find its footing — is this a drama with comedy, or a comedic farce with drama? — but when events heat up, we get some fantastically funny set pieces, including the brutal demise of one particular player. This is a well-filmed show.

“Run” is a little of each, not at the same time, and one of its weaknesses in the early episodes is its lurching among tones as it pulls the emergency brake on one and launches into another. But on the strength of its nerve and two strong lead performances, it’s a jittery, often darkly funny ride, propelled by a hellbent, coal-fired plot engine.

The new HBO comedy “Run” is one of those high concept, “What if?” shows that doesn’t quite hang together. It’s not that the talent isn’t there. Boldface names — several Emmy award winners — abound, but the energy they bring to the screen doesn’t stop the show from running out of steam by Episode 3.

Though the series certainly isn’t blind to Ruby and Billy’s rather pronounced sense of entitlement, the chaos piling up in their wake becomes far less endearing than it’s seemingly meant to be. Ruby and Billy’s actions make them harder and harder to root for, and Run becomes unable to sustain itself beyond the initial thrill of their reunion.

Poor chemistry between the two leads and a flimsy premise. There also doesn’t seem to be a good reason for this show to exist. Meanwhile, since it’s on HBO, it’s still somehow watchable. Not memorable though.