Running On Empty

It is truly a masterpiece emotional roller coaster it is amazing deserves an ouster I highly advise to watch this

I had just written a long review and it disappeared due to a phone glitch. Just see this film. It's pitch perfect. Outstanding performances and deftly directed, perfectly cast in every supporting role. Christine Lahti is superb. The scene with her estranged father is so layered with heartbreaking emotional truth in both what is said and what remains unsaid but is so clearly stated in the silences and struggle of each character trying to find each other behind walls of time and anger and deep hurt that can only come from deep love between two generations that can't find a bridge between them. I could watch this scene 1000x and it crushes me every time. So perfect... Its like the director just got out of the way and magic occurred. Judd Hirsch is phenomenal and River Pheonix in his Academy award nominated role perfectly captured the moments of a boy brought up with love and family and taught to question authority and live with conviction... On his way to become the man he is destined to be but at what cost? No spoilers but I dare you not to cry at the end. And you'll sing James Taylor's Fire and Rain for days... Watch for the dinner scene with the song. A perfect marriage of how music can add another layer of emotion to a scene and reveal who we are under the secrets and under the lies when what truly binds us is love.

this movie is so powerful and definitely a favorite. love River Phoenix so so much.

This review is an excerpt from my book “Killer B’s: The 237 Best Movies On Video You’ve (Probably) Never Seen,” which is available as an ebook on iBooks. If you enjoy this review, there are 236 more like it in the book (plus a whole lot more). Check it out! RUNNING ON EMPTY: “You can run, but you can’t hide,” Satchel Paige is famous for saying. Artie and Annie discover a variation: You can indeed hide, for a while. But you can’t run forever, especially from your own past. “Running on Empty” is a family drama with a difference, involving us in the complicated lives of complex characters, including a budding romance between intelligent teens and the multiple ironies plaguing three generations of their family’s dashed dreams. It’s an intense, intelligent and deeply moving film about heart-wrenching crises, tough decisions and major sacrifices—and a film that cuts to the heart of what it means to be a family. Phoenix is exceptional as the sensitive, shy, vulnerable and confused teen who falls for tomboy Plimpton. The harmonious interplay of a smart script (convincing in its fascinating details of their lifestyle), understated direction, and A-level performances brilliantly accomplishes the difficult task of making the people in this outrageous situation seem not just sympathetic, but realistic and believable.

River Phoenix is so good :) it was sort of sad but also happy. If you luv river then you hav to see this movie

"Do you know how it feels to not to be able to see your child for 14 years?" I couldn't. And neither did Annie Pope, but yet she knows she has let her son Danny go. She has to let him live his own life. This movie breaks your heart, yet makes me smile because River showed his heart in every scene, even when his quiet or sad, River has your heart from the beginning. Today, movies sometimes lose the importance of family and friends, true love in relationships, and what it means to live by your heart. But this film has all those things and more. The movie might be short and simple, not action packed nor overly sensual, but it actually means something....appreciate and love the family you were given; because, you never know how long you have with them. I recommend you see this, because I think you will enjoy it. Every cast member makes this movie amazing, and without one person, it just wouldn't be the same. River <3

From the first time I saw this movie I was in love, just everything about it is awesome, I am a HUGE River Phoenix fan, and if you are too then this is perfect, it's the right lever of drama and the people are so charming, I love the birthday scene with that James Taylor song, now whenever I hear it I think of this movie. I highly recommend it :) RIP River Jude Phoenix <3

I didn't know what the film was about (didn't see the trailer, or read about it, just got it as a movie-of-the-week), but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a great film.

By Far The Best Movie I Hav Ever seen! this is such a sad beautiful film u need to see this espicially if ur a river fan!

Beautiful acting, writing and directing comes together to create an emotionally poiniant and moving film. Every character is fleshed out and real, every performance believable. No stereotypes, no bad-guy, no fancy camera work or special FX. Just a simple story of family, love, responsibility, and...letting go. Sidney Lumet once again delivers a classic, a film that can be appreciated by parents and kids of all ages (although there are some curse words in there, in case you're strict about your kids not hearing that). If you like this movie and you become a fan of Sidney Lumet, check out some of his other classic films like: SERPICO, 12 ANGRY MEN, THE VERDICT, and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD. In the meantime, buy RUNNING ON EMPTY. Not only is it a great movie, but at 5 bucks, it's a steal.