IMDb > Running on Empty (1988)
Running on Empty
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Running on Empty (1988) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   4,923 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 4% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Naomi Foner (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Running on Empty on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 September 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
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.
Plot:
The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations more
User Comments:
So underrated more (63 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Christine Lahti ... Annie Pope / Cynthia Manfield

River Phoenix ... Danny Pope / Michael Manfield

Judd Hirsch ... Arthur Pope / Paul Manfield
Jonas Abry ... Harry Pope / Stephen Manfield

Martha Plimpton ... Lorna Phillips
Ed Crowley ... Mr. Phillips
L.M. Kit Carson ... Gus Winant
Steven Hill ... Donald Patterson
Augusta Dabney ... Abigail Patterson
David Margulies ... Dr. Jonah Reiff
Lynne Thigpen ... Contact at Eldridge St.

Marcia Jean Kurtz ... School Clerk
Sloane Shelton ... Mrs. Phillips
Justine Johnston ... Librarian

Herb Lovelle ... Hospital Clerk
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
116 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
One of only a handful of films to successfully have its MPAA rating changed through the formal appeals process. Originally given an "R" due to more than one use of the "F" word, it was revised to "PG13". Usually, only high-quality films of historic or social import are successfully appealed (e.g., "All the President's Men", "The Front"). more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: 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. more
Quotes:
Lorna: ...So, now that we've determined that I belong here, let's talk about you. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Oh Pretty Woman more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
27 out of 32 people found the following comment useful.
So underrated, 24 January 2002
10/10
Author: P00H-7 from Toronto

When I was 16, I used to hang out with a tough crowd and my best friend at the time was a real trouble maker, we would always get into fights with other guys our age and sometimes men, and he was a really tough kid, anyway one night he calls me and tells me that he watched the saddest movie he had ever seen, he said it was the first time he actually cried since he saw E.T. I was laughing at him continuously, until I watched it and got so profoundly effected by it that even thinking about that last scene makes my eyes water. I really feel that this film was a major catalyst for many changes I made during my progression from teenager to young adult.

Running on Empty is quite an achievement in filmmaking, it is as real a film as you could watch and everyone involved should be absolutely proud of it. River Phoenix will forever be missed.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (63 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Running on Empty (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
BestBuy.com has a special ROE offer MorganVictoria92
what peice did danny play at juliard audition? hairextender
river question icould_Fly
someone pronounce her last name please. MorganVictoria92
I hate the little brother. balehead55
A better DVD release? samhain4000
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