Running on Empty (1988)
Genre: Drama / Crime
Duration: 116 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Stars: Christine Lahti, River Phoenix and Judd Hirsch
IMDb score:
7,6 (19.812)
Releasedate: 9 September 1988
Running on Empty plot
"They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his."
The Pope family hasn't been able to use their true identities for years, after they set fire to a weapons lab, which was intended to better use weapons during the Vietnam War. The son of the family wants a life without being constantly on the run from the government, realizing that his parents could be arrested and probably never surface again.
Actors and actresses
Annie Pope
Danny Pope
Arthur Pope
Harry Pope
Lorna Phillips
Mr. Phillips
Gus Winant
Donald Patterson
Abigail Patterson
Dr. Jonah Reiff
Reviews & comments
Insignificance
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- 3220 messages
- 5589 votes
Little enthusiasm here for this Lumet. Too bad, because he may well be there. Whoever goes for an FBI manhunt is in trouble. The film focuses on the life of a family on the run and, more specifically, the talented son who comes to such an age. A sincere pitch, at least I can find little false sentiment in it. Maybe the puppy love is a bit too thick on it, but that won't be a problem. Phoenix is indeed doing well, same for his girl. The conversation between Annie and her father is touching and the end, well, it's not so much what happens, but more what's behind it. Pretty sad. All in all, an engaging film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Filmkriebel
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- 10012 messages
- 4678 votes
Good coming-of-age drama. The main character, 16-year-old Danny, is placed in a peculiar situation where his parents constantly drag him from place to place and from identity to identity in their run from the FBI. The family settles in a village where Danny gets some grip in his existence thanks to a girlfriend. Some scenes are so good that I almost forgot that they were acted, including the already mentioned birthday party, but also the puppy love and the strong bond between Danny and his rebellious parents are contagious. I was also quite impressed with Phoenix's piano skills. 
A strong, tender and under-watched film by Lumet.
Translated from Dutch · View original
kos
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- 46721 messages
- 8875 votes
Special film, if only because I think 95% of screenwriters and directors would try to make an exciting thriller from this premise,
On the other hand, this is a very friendly, human and warm film about the consequences of a politically subversive group. That starts right away with the relaxed music tones with the subtitles.
River Phoenix shows here to have been one of the great talents of his generation and Hirsch and Lahti are also very good.
Fire and Rain by James Taylor on repeat.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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