Running on Empty

PG-13

Released Sep 9, 1988

1 hr. 56 min.

Drama

List

81%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

69%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Arthur Pope (Judd Hirsch) and his wife, Annie (Christine Lahti), are fugitives, perpetually on the run from federal authorities due to their antiwar activity during the 1960s. The couple moves around the country with their two sons -- young Harry (Jonas Abry) and his older teenage brother, Danny (River Phoenix). On the verge of adulthood, Danny longs to set out on his own and live a more stable life, but he knows this could mean permanent separation from his family.

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Critics Consensus

Running on Empty largely skims past its political themes, but River Phoenix's performance helps anchor the story's generational conflict.

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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 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 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 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie. While it's rarely talked about now it is one of the most emotional movies I've ever watched. The story follows a couple (Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti) who had protested the Vietnam War in the 60's and have since been running from the FBI. Their oldest son, Danny (the late River Phoenix), is at the age he'd naturally be going out on his own. He's also a talented pianist and dazzles his music teacher and also begins to form a romance with the teachers daughter (Martha Plimpton). The movie is filled with incredible performances, brilliant dialogue and scenes that break and warm your heart simultaneously. The film also serves as a tribute to the late great River Phoenix as he gives the performance that would nominate him for an Academy. It's a movie about your past. This movie asks the question should you continue to run and hurt from it or should you be forgiven. However, Danny's running from a past he had nothing to do with.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bom filme com boas performances

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Audience Member

when i watch this movie, i get so sad because of the potential river phoenix had as an actor & really could've been such a force in the movie industry. also christine lahti does a nice job giving her character unexpected dimensions

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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Sidney Lumet

Director

Christine Lahti

Annie Pope

River Phoenix

Danny Pope

Judd Hirsch

Arthur Pope

Martha Plimpton

Lorna Phillips

Jonas Abry

Harry Pope

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Running on Empty" is a brilliant movie, a gripping story that works on many levels.

May 25, 2021

Full Review

Robin Givhan

Detroit Free Press

Hirsch as a '60s radical is hard to swallow. He looks and moves more like a professor of American political history than someone who made history.

Rated: 5/10

May 25, 2021

Full Review

Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Its essential generosity is its most laudable aspect: its sympathy for the idealism of antiwar radicals seems like the real thing.

May 25, 2021

Full Review

Elizabeth Pincus

Gay Community News (Boston)

Running on Empty is as earnest as they come, delving with ostensible sincerity into the spirit, if not the substance, of the ’60s.

Jul 13, 2022

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The ambivalent hypocrisy of [Running on Empty] would make it intolerable if not for an astute Lumet who shifts focus to turn it onto a conflict of loyalty with the eldest son. [Full review in Spanish]

Jun 21, 2022

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...completely compelling and entirely rewarding...

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 7, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

Arthur Pope (Judd Hirsch) and his wife, Annie (Christine Lahti), are fugitives, perpetually on the run from federal authorities due to their antiwar activity during the 1960s. The couple moves around the country with their two sons -- young Harry (Jonas Abry) and his older teenage brother, Danny (River Phoenix). On the verge of adulthood, Danny longs to set out on his own and live a more stable life, but he knows this could mean permanent separation from his family.

Director: Sidney Lumet
Executive Producer: Naomi Foner, Burtt Harris
Screenwriter: Naomi Foner
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Lorimar Film Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.8M
Sound Mix: Surround

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