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Christine Lahti, River Phoenix, Judd Hirsch, Jonas Abry, Martha Plimpton ... see more see more... , Ed Crowley , L.M. Kit Carson , Steven Hill , Augusta Dabney , David Margulies , Lynne Thigpen , Marcia Jean Kurtz , Sloane Shelton , Justine Johnston , Herb Lovelle , Bobo Lewis , Ronnie Gilbert , Leila Danette , Michael Boatman , Jenny Lumet , William Foeller , Carol Cavallo , Alice Drummond , Joey Thrower , Donna Hanover , Thomas Fraioli , Burke Pearson , Elzbieta Czyzewska , Angela Pietropinto , Daniel Dassin , L.M. "kit" Carson , Michael Patrick Boatman , Troy Winbush

In this family drama from director Sidney Lumet, Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti play Arthur and Annie Pope, a pair of '60s radicals who have eluded the FBI for 16 years after bombing a napalm laborat... read more read more...ory as a Vietnam War protest. This lifestyle involves continually moving their base of operations and establishing new identities, which is especially hard on their children, 18-year-old Danny (River Phoenix) and 10-year-old Harry (Jonas Abry), who can never amass a group of friends or an academic record. This last problem comes to the fore when they arrive in a New Jersey town where the high school music teacher (Ed Crowley) takes an interest in Danny's piano playing, encouraging him to apply for early admission to Juilliard. Danny yearns to follow this dream, but knows that separating from his parents would be a permanent break -- the aging hippies rarely even see their own parents, and can never inform anyone where they've moved. Arthur can't stand the idea of breaking up the family unit, which has provided the support that's allowed him to tolerate life on the move, but Annie sees her own sacrificed dreams in her son's prodigious musical talents, and begins pressuring Arthur to grant the boy his independence. Complicating factors, Danny has fallen in love with the daughter of his music teacher (Martha Plimpton), but can't allow himself to get too close to her, because he may have to leave again at any moment. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

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84% liked it

7,593 ratings

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85% liked it

13 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 58 min.

Directed by: Sidney Lumet

Release Date: September 7, 1988

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DVD Release Date: March 30, 1999

Stats: 443 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (443)

  • blkbomb
    December 30, 2011
    blkbomb
    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 ... read moreit 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. 
  • FrizzDrop
    November 27, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    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.
  • ythelastman89
    August 31, 2010
    ythelastman89
    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 story... read moreline. 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.
  • 76Majikat
    August 10, 2009
    76Majikat
    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.
  • thmtsang
    March 24, 2008
    thmtsang
    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)
  • deano
    May 13, 2007
    deano
    Extremely well-made drama film looks at a fugitive family that has been on the lam from the FBI for years.
  • jjnxn
    April 1, 2007
    jjnxn
    beautifully acted, the restaurant scene alone is worth the price of admission
  • garyX
    February 27, 2007
    garyX
    Rather dreary and soapy family melodrama, really only of interest because of the presence of the late River Phoenix.
  • michaelcorleone
    August 19, 2008
    michaelcorleone
    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-n... read moreumbers 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.
  • johnattridge
    July 15, 2008
    johnattridge
    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 ... read moreare 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.

View All Running on Empty Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz
May 17, 2011
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It's the Lumet film I like best. Full Review

Scott G. Mignola
January 2, 2011
Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media

Wraps around your heart and squeezes. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
June 18, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

River Phoenix gives an Oscar nominated performance as the teenage son of radical parents in Sidney Lumet's interesting but not entirely satisfying politicial melodrama. Full Review

Bob Bloom
September 20, 2003
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

A touching, forgotten drama about a family of radicals still running from the consequences of their actions. River Phoenix, Lahti and Hirsch all are wonderful. A must-see.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 10, 2003
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

One of the most poignant and edifying films made in the 1980s about the blessings and burdens of family life. Full Review

Clint Morris
September 17, 2002
Clint Morris, Moviehole

A tour-de-force in acting. Phoenix is a revelation!

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Janet Maslin
May 20, 2003
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Hal Hinson
January 1, 2000
Hal Hinson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

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