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Running on Empty (1988)

 -  Crime | Drama | Music  -  9 September 1988 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 7,093 users  
Reviews: 77 user | 35 critic

The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.

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Title: Running on Empty (1988)

Running on Empty (1988) on IMDb 7.5/10

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 6 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Arthur Pope
Jonas Abry ...
Harry Pope
...
Ed Crowley ...
Mr. Phillips
L.M. Kit Carson ...
Gus Winant
...
Donald Patterson
Augusta Dabney ...
Abigail Patterson
...
Dr. Jonah Reiff
...
Contact at Eldridge St.
...
School Clerk
Sloane Shelton ...
Mrs. Phillips
Justine Johnston ...
Librarian
...
Hospital Clerk
Edit

Storyline

The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the authorities never far behind. Today, their eldest son wants a life of his own although he is aware that would mean that his parents would either get caught or he will never see them again. Written by Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

In 1971, Arthur and Annie Pope blew up a napalm lab to protest the war... Ever since then they have been on the run from the FBI. They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his.

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Music | Romance

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

9 September 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Die Flucht ins Ungewisse  »

Box Office

Gross:

$2,835,116 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Arthur meets the contact in front of the Eldridge Street Synagogue, which was built on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1887 by immigrants from Eastern Europe. See more »

Goofs

As they stop at a gas station on the run from authorities, one of the characters is shown removing a Delaware license plate from the front of the gray van. Delaware has never issued nor required front-mounted plates. See more »

Quotes

Michael: So, what are you doing over the summer?
Lorna: I have a job pumping gas.
Michael: You finally got the Supreme Court to hear your case, huh?
Lorna: Yeah.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Jersey Girl (2004) See more »

Soundtracks

"Oh Pretty Woman"
Written by Roy Orbison & Bill Dees
See more »

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User Reviews

 
A great movie
14 January 2003 | by (Milwaukee, WI) – See all my reviews

The main reason i actually rented this movie for the first time was because i am a huge fan of the late River Phoenix. And after seeing Running on Empty, i'm an even bigger fan!

In my opinion, River does the best job in this movie. But the other actors, Christine and Judd, are wonderful too. This movie moved me so much! River's performance will really make you think.

See this movie! Do whatever you have to do! Even if you are not a River Phoenix fan, see this movie!

10/10


7 of 7 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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