The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.
Director:
Sidney LumetWriter:
Naomi Foner
From metacritic.com
Take a look back at these Hollywood icons in their early days to see how far they've come in their careers—and how little they've visibly aged.
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Title: Running on Empty (1988)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Christine Lahti | ... | Annie Pope | |
| River Phoenix | ... | Danny Pope | |
| Judd Hirsch | ... | Arthur Pope | |
 |
Jonas Abry | ... | Harry Pope |
| 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 | |
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Plot Summary
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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 older 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>
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.Parents Guide:
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Did You Know?
Goofs
During Danny's first music class at a new school, the teacher underlines two words previously written on the chalkboard. But when the class lets out, the words are on the board as originally written, but without the underlining. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
9 September 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Running on Empty See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$7,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$215,157, 11 September 1988Gross USA:
$2,835,116Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$2,847,941Company Credits
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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!