Running on Empty (1988)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Melvin W

  
  Annie Pope: What are we doing to these kids? They've been running their whole lives like criminals, and they didnt do anything!  "They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his." I seldom cry during a movie, and I never cry upon repeat viewings of a film. That… More
  Annie Pope: What are we doing to these kids? They've been running their whole lives like criminals, and they didnt do anything!  "They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his." I seldom cry during a movie, and I never cry upon repeat viewings of a film. That is unless it is Running on Empty. There's two parts of this movie that I tear up at every time. There's the scene near the middle where the family and Lorna dance to "Fire and Rain" because it directly ties to the ending, which is the second scene I always tear up to. That scene in the middle is one of my favorite scenes of all-time, and easily one of the most touching. Running on Empty is also one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. Arthur and Annie Pope are activists that blew up a napalm plant in the late 60's. A mistake was made and a janitor was blinded and paralyzed. The two have had run ever since, with little to no contact with their parents. They have two sons, Danny, who is a senior in high school, and Harry, who is ten. The two kids have grown accustomed to leaving town and changing their identity and we are shown that right at the start of the film. We see Danny riding his bike home, where he spots cars posted up outside his house. He knows exactly what to do because he has had to do it before. The family leaves their house, their dog, and all their belongings behind. They make off for a new place to live, where they will have different hair colors and different names.  This film isn't about the parents or their mistake. It is about their oldest son, Danny. Danny has been moving around like this since he was two years old, so it isn't anything new to him. He is used to leaving friends and pets behind. He knows not to get to close to people or let people get to close to him. That all changes when he chooses music as his elective at the new high school he is attending. See, Danny is a very gifted piano player, and his music teacher takes a liking to him right away. Soon Danny takes a liking to the teachers daughter, and she likes him back. The teacher also is hassling Danny to apply to Juilliard, which isn't really an option because that would mean leaving his family behind, and possibly never seeing them again. It is a very character driven film. The father wants desperately for the family to stay together and does want to hear anything about Danny leaving them and going to college. The mother feels guilt for putting her kids through all this and wants to make it up to them. Both of them are great parents though. They have raised their kids with good, strong values, and you can tell from how they act that they have been raise well.  Running on Empty is underrated and under seen film. It is a Sidney Lumet film and really doesn't come up in the discussion of his best films. Everyone talks about Network and Dog Day Afternoon. I've always found it hard to choose between my favorite Lumet film. It's always been close between Dog Day Afternoon and Running on Empty. Well upon another viewing of Running on Empty, this is my favorite. It is so wonderfully uplifting, sad, and powerful. It is beautifully acted by everyone. River Phoenix gives a tremendous, Oscar nominated performance. In my opinion, he deserved the Oscar. Kevin Kline was great in A Fish Called Wanda, but the range of Phoenix's performance is astounding. Christine Lahti and Judd Hirsch are wonderful as the parents.  I strongly recommend everyone to watch this film. You may not have heard of it and it may not be the easiest movie to track down. But if you get a chance to watch it, take it. I don't believe you will regret it. Arthur Pope: Now, go out there and make a difference. Your mother and I tried. Don't let anyone tell you different. 

• Spencer S

  
  The moody, brilliant, and exceptionally mature River Phoenix shows us yet again why he was the in the forefront of our minds to become a classic actor.

• Conner R

  
  I really like this movie a lot. Sure, it's mostly because of River Phoenix and his extremely deep performance, but it's really a different type of movie. I think the family on the run scenario works well here. Not knowing the whole story at first makes it such a suspenseful… More
  I really like this movie a lot. Sure, it's mostly because of River Phoenix and his extremely deep performance, but it's really a different type of movie. I think the family on the run scenario works well here. Not knowing the whole story at first makes it such a suspenseful storyline. You have these almost scarily selfish parents who rob their kids of a life in order to escape police capture. While you ultimately feel sorry for them, you almost feel just as angry that Danny can't have any real emotional attachments or relationships.

• Lady D

  
  An interesting storyline, but one that perhaps lacks in excitement. Enjoyable performances by both River Phoenix and Christine Lahti. Conventional versus unconventional in this free spirited plot stooped in irony.

• Candy R

  
  Movie about a family on the run from the police. It makes me cry. It also has one of my favourite songs - Fire and Rain (James Taylor)

• Dean M

  
  Extremely well-made drama film looks at a fugitive family that has been on the lam from the FBI for years.

• jay n

  
  beautifully acted, the restaurant scene alone is worth the price of admission

• xGary X

  
  Rather dreary and soapy family melodrama, really only of interest because of the presence of the late River Phoenix.

• Mike T

  
  This film lacks the director's knack for drawing outstanding performances from all of his actors, and in some respects the direction itself feels misguided. The chemistry between the characters never feels completely natural, and at times the story is presented in a very… More
  This film lacks the director's knack for drawing outstanding performances from all of his actors, and in some respects the direction itself feels misguided. The chemistry between the characters never feels completely natural, and at times the story is presented in a very by-the-numbers fashion. Aside from its flaws, however, it's a well-structured and highly interesting story. What makes it better than average is River Phoenix, whose textured and mature portrayal of a young man living a life full of under-the-surface turmoil is heartbreaking and memorable.

• John A

  
  Sidney Lumet's 'Running on Empty' is a drama where characters are slowly forced to turn around and look at themselves; these characters pass judgements on others, ignore their own flaws or brush off self-reflection altogether, but now decisions have to be made where… More
  Sidney Lumet's 'Running on Empty' is a drama where characters are slowly forced to turn around and look at themselves; these characters pass judgements on others, ignore their own flaws or brush off self-reflection altogether, but now decisions have to be made where others needs are more important than their own. Annie and Arthur Pope have been on the run for over fourteen years. When they were young they had ideas and opinions, and resisted and opposed authority. Not believing in the causes of the Vietnam War, they blew up a weapons laboratory, not knowing someone was inside. That person never died, but was blinded and paralysed. And so they run, constantly moving and changing identities, along with their two sons, Harry and Danny. But they are haunted by their past, and especially how it will come to affect their children's lives. A large part of Danny's life is music. It is an outlet in which he can be normal, in which he can escape his lie and his running. When he plays music, he is simply a kid with an interest, although as the film unfolds it becomes clear it is more than a mere interest. His teacher recognises his talent and urges him to apply to college; as his music and situation begin to merge an impossible decision has to be made, and it is almost unbearable to watch someone choose between their family and a future. Lumet's direction is never glossy or elaborate, but sensible, reserved and impressive. Characters frequently appear as the camera pans sideways to emphasise how they struggle to connect with each other; Annie makes an effort to hug and kiss her kids, and the family party in a hippie and eccentric style, but rarely do they talk seriously. Danny understandably struggles when he meets and falls for his music teacher's daughter, Lorna, but eventually we realise sometimes things don't need to be spoken if they are mutually understood. River Phoenix is superb at playing an introverted and quiet character who sees more of himself in his parents than he likes to let on, delivering a mature and strong performance. Martha Plimpton is adequate, and Judd Hirsch brilliant despite his lesser role, but Christine Lahti's performance dominates the screen; her few scattered scenes build to a climax where she confronts herself on past mistakes, and finally learns to free her son from her misjudgement, and her acting is subtle but impressionable, and moving without being squeamish. Lumet has successfully put together a poignant drama where the relationships, dialogue and situations all ring true to reality. He discards the Hollywood rule book and doesn't indulge in clichés, but lets matters unravel to a point where all the details that seemed so important, names, histories, birthday presents or even rebellion actually matter very little. Doing what is right isn't always as straightforward as it seems.

• Leo L

  
  Fantastic!

• Haley A

  
  River so deserved the Oscar for this, but was snubbed.

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