Running on Empty

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Charlie S. Exceptional! River P. Is amazing. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/08/25 Full Review Goran G River Phoenix and Christine Lahti my loves! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/29/25 Full Review Charles F Great cast and interesting plot. Christine Lathti's scene with Stephen Hill and the ending with James Taylor music framing River Phoenix, left to be on his own, always bring me to tears. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/24 Full Review Matthew D Do the sins of the father forever carry over to the son? Director Sidney Lumet's coming of age romance drama Running on Empty (1988) is a multitude of genres blended into one touching picture. Lumet's direction is gripping and keeps the narrative heartfelt and grounded by centering everything mostly from River Phoenix' perspective. We get sincere family drama and comedy moments, coming of age drama with a sweet young romance, and even a tense crime drama as this family is running away from the FBI. It's a strange premise from writer Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal, mother of Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jake Gyllenhaal, but it works to ground the story with suspense and stakes. Naomi Foner Gyllenhaal's writing is thoughtful with deep conversations about purpose in life and our responsibility to our parents versus going out on your own. Running on Empty is quite interesting and moving with a contemplative tone. Griffin Dunne even produced this late 80's drama cult classic. River Phoenix is breathtaking as the reflective young man Danny Pope. Phoenix is gripping with moving dramatic prowess in that magical way only he could be. His eyes are full of thoughts and hurt, while his body language shows Danny's insecurities and uncertainty. I am blown away by River Phoenix' beautiful piano playing like he's a classically trained pianist. He should have easily beat Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda at The Oscars for Best Supporting Actor. He's so romantic with Martha Plimpton's lovable tomboy Lorna Phillips. She's so funny, touching, and fun loving with a unique personality all her own. It's easy to see why River liked Martha back then. Their romantic scenes together have real chemistry and heart. Christine Lahti is great as the conflicted mother Annie Pope. She's paying for her literal crimes by hindering her own children's futures. I found her really poignant as she begs her father Donald Patterson, played by a tearful Steven Hill, to take in Danny. Judd Hirsch is quite funny and crazy as the chaotic and selfish father on the run named Arthur Pope. He plays around with his voice for comedic effect. I liked his scenes with River that felt like a son opening up to his father. Jonas Abry is annoying and excitable as the little boy Harry Pope. Ed Crowley is supportive and meddling as the music teacher Mr. Phillips. Augusta Dabney gets a nice cameo as Annie's mother Abigail Patterson. L. M. Kit Carson is unhinged and sleazy as the insurgent rebel Gus Winant. Andrew Mondshein's editing is compelling as scenes let the music and talking play out naturally. Cinematographer Gerry Fisher focuses on sorrowful faces in close-ups and striking natural imagery in wide shots panning around smoothly. It looks so crisp. Composer Tony Mottola's film score features lovely piano playing that's beautiful to hear. The big sound design team did a great job having the piano melodies ring out in louder echoes that sound clear. In short, Running on Empty is moving, romantic, strange, and totally unique. River Phoenix was a masterful young actor with a maturity beyond his years. It's truly a tragedy such an interesting and talented young man died far too young. May River Phoenix rest in peace. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Never gripping but always interesting, this Lumet film not set in NYC looks at two parents, who also happen to be 60s radical terrorists, trying to raise their two sons on the run. This film was somewhat of a surprise narratively, based on the subject matter that it was framed around, as the story focused primarily on the familial drama and issues arising from living on the run, than on the actual manhunt or suspense of the chase. The audience rarely even saw any law enforcement agents or were even aware of another "side" actively pursuing the family, and instead saw a more nuanced look at the everyday struggles that come about living under an assumed identity, especially when a young person played no role in the actions that brought about this necessity. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Lumet's sympathies obviously lie with the politics of the radicals but he allows the narrative to honestly deal with the fallout of their choices. River Phoenix is really good here, convincingly playing the heart of the movie. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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