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Running on Empty

Play trailer Poster for Running on Empty PG-13,  1988,  1h 56m,  Drama/ Crime/ Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 81% 31 Reviews Tomatometer 69% 10,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 69% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
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.
Running on Empty

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Joe Pollack St. Louis Post-Dispatch May 25, 2021
"Running on Empty" is a brilliant movie, a gripping story that works on many levels. Go to Full Review
Robin Givhan Detroit Free Press May 25, 2021
5/10
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. Go to Full Review
Jay Carr Boston Globe May 25, 2021
Its essential generosity is its most laudable aspect: its sympathy for the idealism of antiwar radicals seems like the real thing. Go to Full Review
Elizabeth Pincus Gay Community News (Boston) Jul 13, 2022
Running on Empty is as earnest as they come, delving with ostensible sincerity into the spirit, if not the substance, of the ’60s. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Jun 21, 2022
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] Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 7, 2022
3.5/4
...completely compelling and entirely rewarding... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Kylo M Nov 13, 2018 Sidney Lumet has done big films, but many of them remain pretty unheard of. This is not one of them - it was Oscar nominated and all, but in these years you don't hear much about this one. A family is hiding from everyone. FBI are after them, after they destroyed some old napalm supplies or something and a lost life got into the mix. The intention was good, but the result got them in the fed's scope. This represents a lot of the film - the intention and the consequences. The two kids are especially suffering as they not only changes looks, hair, clothing and names, but also schools and towns, making it hard to make real friends and roots. Amazing acting all over the line. A solid story that's touching and smart. It's good, but few big scenes. They act careful, but normal and there is little sneakyness here. Sensitive and touching film about a loving family that never can run away from the past. I guess it felt a bit dated or something. It's not a poor one, but I wanted a whole lot more to be honest. 7 out of 10 newspaper rip outs. See more
Kylo P Oct 27, 2018 This made me cry again. I love the story and the performances.
Abraham S Sep 12, 2018 This movie hit close to home without the criminal aspect of it. I loved this film, the music part by Phoenix was a awesome surprise with the piano playing. The emotions were felt in this drama, I don't think a single director in Hollywood today could make a movie like this anymore, such depth, directors today have no clue how to build character which should be the first thing they learn. One of the best films by River. See more
Harry S Jun 10, 2018 Reviewed 6.5.18 The film sports a stellar script, for which it dutifully received an Academy award nomination. Former radicals transformed into doting parents makes for an original and interesting setup. On occasion, it teeters toward movie of the week territory, but is thankfully rescued by the above board acting. The real life relationship between River Phoenix and Martha Plimpton renders genuine screen chemistry. It's a simple yet well-crafted film, which could easily be translated to the stage. If only River Phoenix's expressed desire for a sequel could have come to fruition. These are characters you want to grow with. See more
Kylo M Dec 9, 2017 This film is a real sleeper. A family trying hard to have a normal life while on the run. All the actors are very good with Lahti in particular standing out. All of the young actors gave naturalistic performances and were well cast. Another Lumet winner. See more
Albus L Apr 5, 2017 Really great character piece full of amazing performances. Moving, real and smart... what else much I say.
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Running on Empty

My Rating

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Amy Robinson, Griffin Dunne
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Lorimar Film Entertainment
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Drama, Crime, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 9, 1988, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 14, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.8M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
Surround
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