SHOP RUNNING ON...
IMDb >
Running on Empty (1988)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsnews articlesPromotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsRunning on Empty (1988)
| Photos (see all 7 | slideshow) | Videos |
Overview
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 synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations moreUser Comments:
Really liked this one moreCast
(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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
116 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Finland:S | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:12 | UK:15 | Singapore:PGFilming Locations:
Empire Stages of New York, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, USA moreMOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Sidney Lumet writes in his book "Making Movies" about an argument between River Phoenix and writer Naomi Foner. A scene in the movie concerns the character played by Phoenix being interrupted while practicing a classical piano solo. In the script, when he is caught, he breaks into a jazz riff to cover his "embarrassment" at being caught doing something serious. Phoenix fought hard against this, feeling that his character would never be embarrassed about working at the piano. Lumet was so impressed by the point Phoenix made, he shot the scene the way Phoenix wanted it. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Arthur returns home drunk one night, he stumbles backwards, falls and shatters the living room table. A short while later he is shown sitting next to the intact table when Danny comes home from being with Lorna. moreSoundtrack:
Happy Birthday To You moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Running on Empty (1988) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Add a recommendation |
Show more recommendations
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| The Weather Underground | Underground | Winter Soldier | Berkeley in the Sixties | Across the Universe |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |














Why this has an average rating of only 7.3 is beyond me. This is really darn good, maybe not a "masterpiece" as some of the other reviews have stated, but one of those criminally underrated and overlooked movies. And, heck, starring River Phoenix for crying out loud. Why had I never heard of it? Yeah, it's got a touch of cheesy '80s things about it (music, clothing, etc.) but I've learned to overlook that sort of thing if it's actually a good story. Take this and another coming-of-age movie, _This Boy's Life_ (starring Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio -- why hadn't I ever heard of that one either?), and you have a couple of the best great-but-underrated movies in recent memory. I'd love a good explanation for why this should only get a 7.3 out of 10, given the quality of a bunch of material with a higher average rating. (I thought 6.9 was the average rating here. This isn't even close to just average.) Compared to the body of Sidney Lumet's work, this has got to rank right up near the top, doesn't it?