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

Videos (see all 4 NEW)
Running on Empty (1988) -- The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.
Running on Empty (1988) -- A bailout for the auto industry may be looming, but there may not be enough money to save them, reports Anthony Mason. Maggie Rodriguez talks to Mich. Gov. Jennifer Granholm about the ripple effect.
Running on Empty (1988) -- Between increasing gas prices, the credit freeze, and the financial crisis, America's automobile dealers are relying heavily on the bailout bill to save their businesses. Randall Pinkston reports.
Running on Empty (1988) -- As gas prices soar, scammers are taking advantage of Good Samaritans by pretending to be out of gas on the side of the road. John Blackstone reports.

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   4,864 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Sidney Lumet
Writer:
Naomi Foner (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Running on Empty on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 September 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Music more
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:
Doesn't make the mistake of glorifying crime 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
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Company:
Double Play more

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:
Michael: I'm very happy with you. more
Movie Connections:
References Rebel Without a Cause (1955) more
Soundtrack:
Fire And Rain more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Doesn't make the mistake of glorifying crime, 19 January 2003
9/10
Author: SnobbyDude from Connecticut

This is a fantastic movie. Definitely one of the 5 best I've seen in recent memory. Someone that wrote a review here felt that the two parents are placed upon a pedestal by the film makers, but I don't think this is the case at all. They are accountable for their actions and know what they did was wrong. They have to pay for their actions throughout their lives and will likely turn themselves in as soon as they can be assured that their kids will be safe. The kids are the ones I feel sorry for, not the parents.

I think the main point of the movie is to make people aware of how the actions/decisions they make can hurt other people, including themselves. People often make rash decisions without thinking about the long term consequences their actions cause for themselves and other people.

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
river question icould_Fly
someone pronounce her last name please. MorganVictoria92
BestBuy.com has a special ROE offer MorganVictoria92
I hate the little brother. balehead55
A better DVD release? samhain4000
Could River Phoenix really play piano? AIXelegance
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