Lackluster ‘Renner’ fails to generate much byte
It’s unlikely that the quartet of writers responsible for the clumsily assembled thriller “Renner” will be winning any accolades from feminists. Starring former child star Frankie Muniz as an addled computer genius, director Robert Rippberger’s deep dive into misogyny thrives on stereotypes of women being demanding, manipulative shrews. Incels may approve. All others might wish to steer clear.
As the title character, Muniz fails to convince with his tedious depiction of an impossibly nerdy mama’s boy who’s invented an AI version of his recently deceased nag of a mother. Voiced by Marcia Gay Harden, the ocular-shaped device goes everywhere with Renner, tucked snuggly into an aluminum attache case. He’s named her Salenus, as in the Greek god Silenus, a companion and tutor to Dionysus, the god of wine. Now that Mom has taken her constant criticisms of Renner to bitchy heaven, Salenus is the poindexter’s one and only friend.
If anyone should ask – and nobody does – Salenus is his “life coach,” charged with assisting him in becoming more assertive, particularly in matters of the heart. He craves romance, but not with just any woman. He pines for Jamie (Violett Beane), the gorgeous fitness fanatic who recently moved in across the hall. With Salenus as his guide, Renner begins his methodical pursuit, exiting his antiseptic apartment (he’s an extreme germaphobe) precisely when Jamie returns from her daily run.
They exchange small talk outside his door. She complains the building is a “ghost town,” and improbably invites him to have dinner with her that evening. But when she shows up with Chinese takeout in tow, she’s accompanied by Chad (Taylor Gray), whom Renner – and we – assume is her boyfriend. Spoiler alert: He’s not. But he is exceedingly annoying, and Renner can’t wait for him to leave. When he does, Renner is eager to put his ineptly choreographed moves on Jamie, but she beats him to it and after a couple of dates, they’re beneath the sheets. Renner, natch, is a 40-year-old virgin in need of an “experienced” woman like Jamie to teach him the basics. Where’s Steve Carell when you need him?
Despite Salenus’ repeated warnings of Jamie’s insincerity, Renner charges ahead, dropping his guard and letting his professional life slide in the name of love. He also opens up to Jamie about his mother’s habitual emotional abuse. She listens intently and comforts him. But is her sympathy authentic, or is she just using him for personal gain? Three guesses on that one and the first two don’t count.
Despite the predictable nature of her character, Beane is very good at making us want to believe Jamie’s feelings are genuine. When she’s on screen, Rippberger’s movie has a semblance of a pulse. When she’s not, and we’re stuck with Muniz conversing with a giant eyeball, it’s borderline painful. Muniz simply lacks the flair to engage. He’s a yawn. Even when the tone shifts into darker territory with the introduction of pliers, duct tape and weaponized forks, Muniz struggles to strike a spark.
Again, Beane swoops to the rescue. But why must Rippberger and his trio of co-writers frame Jamie as an ultimately heartless, conniving female who uses her physical appeal, particularly her seductive green eyes, to take advantage of a babe in the woods like Renner? Neither she, nor Salenus, are accorded attributes beyond selfishness and greed. It causes one to wonder if there is bitterness on the part of this coterie of male writers painting women as master manipulators and relentless nudges.
Still, the third act has its moments. None of it’s original, but Rippberger proves capable of generating some thrills despite the subpar script. Perhaps with a more adept actor, instead of the miscast Muniz, “Renner” might have been passable. With him, this lame critique of AI – and women – makes it difficult to get with the program.
Movie review
Renner
Rated: Not rated
Cast: Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Taylor Gray and Marcia Gay Harden
Director: Robert Rippberger
Writer: Luke Medina, Martin Medina, David Largman Murray and Robert Rippberger
Runtime: 89 minutes
Where: In theaters Feb. 7 (limited)
Grade: C
