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IMDbPro

Running on Empty

  • 19881988
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 56m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
17K
YOUR RATING
River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)
CrimeDramaMusic
The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
17K
YOUR RATING
    • Sidney Lumet
    • Naomi Foner
  • Stars
    • River Phoenix
    • Christine Lahti
    • Judd Hirsch
    • Sidney Lumet
    • Naomi Foner
  • Stars
    • River Phoenix
    • Christine Lahti
    • Judd Hirsch
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 122User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
    • 67Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars

    Photos66

    River Phoenix and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, and Jonas Abry in Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix
    Linda Blair at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Jonas Abry at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix and Martha Plimpton at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix and Martha Plimpton at an event for Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)
    River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)
    Harrison Ford, River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in The Mosquito Coast (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    River Phoenix
    River Phoenix
    • Danny Pope
    Christine Lahti
    Christine Lahti
    • Annie Pope
    Judd Hirsch
    Judd Hirsch
    • Arthur Pope
    Jonas Abry
    • Harry Pope
    Martha Plimpton
    Martha Plimpton
    • Lorna Phillips
    Ed Crowley
    Ed Crowley
    • Mr. Phillips
    L.M. Kit Carson
    L.M. Kit Carson
    • Gus Winant
    Steven Hill
    Steven Hill
    • Donald Patterson
    Augusta Dabney
    Augusta Dabney
    • Abigail Patterson
    David Margulies
    David Margulies
    • Dr. Jonah Reiff
    Lynne Thigpen
    Lynne Thigpen
    • Contact at Eldridge St.
    Marcia Jean Kurtz
    Marcia Jean Kurtz
    • School Clerk
    Sloane Shelton
    Sloane Shelton
    • Mrs. Phillips
    Justine Johnston
    • Librarian
    Herb Lovelle
    Herb Lovelle
    • Hospital Clerk
    Bobo Lewis
    • Home Ec Teacher
    Ronnie Gilbert
    • Mrs. Taylor
    Leila Danette
    • Maid
      • Sidney Lumet
      • Naomi Foner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Goofs
      During Danny's Juilliard audition, one of the school's admissions officers stated that he needed to supply them with SAT scores. Juilliard does not, and never has, required applicants to submit standardized test scores.
    • Quotes

      Arthur Pope: [Last Lines] Get the bike out of the back.

      [pause]

      Arthur Pope: Now, get on it.

      Michael: What are you talking about, dad...

      Arthur Pope: Get on the bike. You're on your own, kid. I want you to go to Juilliard.

      Michael: But, dad, I want to go with you.

      Arthur Pope: We'll see you again. You can be sure.

      [pause]

      Arthur Pope: Your mother has arranged things with your grandfather, alright- call him. And I think you have some friend's around here.

      Annie Pope: I love you, baby.

      Arthur Pope: We all love you. Now, go out there and make a difference. Your mother and I tried. And don't let anyone tell you any different.

      Harry Pope: [the family car circles 'Michael' before exiting down the road] Bye, Danny!

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Betrayed/Stealing Home/The Last Temptation of Christ/Married to the Mob/Hero and the Terror (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Fire And Rain
      Written by James Taylor

      Performed by James Taylor

    User reviews122

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Outrageous!!!!
    I am not gonna say too much, but this is one of the best movies ever made, River Phoenix, deserved the award a lot more than Kevin Kline. Maybe River was young and they thought he will have many other chances to do it, unfortunately you never know and now River is no longer with us. So I think that the members of the Academy should consider this, like when Leo DiCaprio was nominated for Gilbert Grape. Anyway, this is a MUST see movie, it´s definitely a classic!
    helpful•10
    2
    • pdlp
    • Feb 26, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1988 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 89 Highwood Avenue, Tenafly, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Double Play
      • Lorimar Film Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 56 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

    Related news

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    River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, and Judd Hirsch in Running on Empty (1988)
    Top Gap
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