Film Review: Running on Empty (1988)

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(Edited)

(source: tmdb.org)

In contemporary America phrase “domestic terrorism” seems to be associated with the right-wing politics. In the past, however, terrorist acts used to be committed by leftists and one of the examples can be found during Vietnam War era when the radicalised anti-war students decided to maintain their struggle through increasingly violent means. Aftermath of such events is the subject of Running on Empty, 1988 drama directed by Sidney Lumet.

The plot deals with family of Annie (played by Christine Lahti) and Arthur Pope (played by Judd Hirsch), left-wing radicals who in 1971, while protesting against the war, bombed the napalm factory causing injury to a janitor. As a result, they became wanted by FBI and spent next seventeen years hiding and trying to blend in as “normal” middle class people while always ready to run and take another identity whenever they suspect their cover gets blown. This is the routine well-rehearsed not only by them, but also by their sons – teenager Danny (played by River Phoenix) and 10-year old Harry (played by Jonas Abry). However, after settling in New Jersey town Danny begins to question whether the family’s nomadic lifestyle is best for his future. Mr. Phillips (played by Ed Crowley), his high school music teacher discovered Danny’s great talent for piano and wants to arrange scholarship for prestigious Julliard school. Danny would like to go, but the lack of proper school records makes it impossible without revealing his and his family’s true identity. Danny contemplates leaving the family, especially when he falls in love with his teacher’s teen daughter Lorna (played by Martha Plimpton). His father, desperate to keep family together, would have none of it, but his mother is torn between the desire to have son by her side and letting him have his own life.

Script by Naomi Foner (writer known as the mother of Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal) was inspired by real events related to Weather Underground, radical leftist organisation responsible for bombings and other terrorist acts whose members, just like the Popes, spent years and even decades hiding from authorities. Director Sidney Lumet is known for his leftist political sympathies and he portrays Popes as noble idealists who paid terrible price for their mistake; this approach was very much in line with Hollywood sympathies towards 1960s radical chic and desire to distance itself as much as possible from then dominant right-wing political trends in Reagan’s America. Running on Empty, on the other hand, is hardly a political film. The main motive in the plot is the more universal dilemma between sticking to familiar way of life or trying something new at the expense of severing contacts with the loved ones. This required good cast and Lumet was fortunate to have it. River Phoenix again shows immense talent for someone of his age and also benefits from being reunited with Martha Plimpton, young actress with whom he starred in similarly-themed The Mosquito Coast. Two of them good chemistry together, which is unsurprising, since they were couple in real life. For his work Phoenix was nominated for Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Christine Lahti is also very good as mother who is torn by his son’s dilemma and overshadows Judd Hirsch, character actor who played “normie” middle-aged characters on television and who is sometimes difficult to accept as former radical. Steven Hill also gives strong performance as Annie’s estranged father. Running on Empty benefits a lot from good cast, but Lumet at times has issues with pace and at times film becomes overly sentimental. Despite that, it is a solid drama that could be recommended even to viewers who aren’t fans of River Phoenix.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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3 comments
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Hey Hey, i love this drama films, the music, the atmosphere, the scenes, are the best. An unforgettable time.

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Hey Hey, i love this drama films, the music, the atmosphere, the scenes, are the best. An unforgettable time.

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