← Back to Reviews
in
Running on Empty
Evocative direction by the incomparable Sidney Lumet, an edgy and disturbing story and some powerhouse performances are the primary reasons a 1988 drama called Running on Empty had me riveted to the screen with my stomach in knots.
The film stars Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti as Arthur and Annie Pope, who have two sons but have had to live their lives on the run because back in the 60's, Arthur and Annie participated in the destruction of a weapons lab that caused the near death of a janitor. The Popes seemed to have adjusted to the way they have to live and at the beginning of the film, they are observed moving their lives again from Florida to New Jersey, where they once again begin a new life, but this new life may have been compromised by older son's Danny's desire to study music at Julliard.
Screenwriter Naomi Foner has crafted a compelling story that almost immediately haunted this reviewer. Initially, because, even though this is a fictional story, I couldn't help but think about how many real Pope families there are out there who are still running and there is no doubt in my mind that there are, which gave an added layer of sadness to this story. It was so sad that these two young boys had to pay for their parents' mistakes in such a way. Most aggravating of all, as the story progresses, we begin to wonder if it is absolutely necessary for this family to live this way, or is this whole thing about the fact that Arthur just doesn't want to go to jail...a horrible thought that occurred to me about 2/3 of the way into the film, which may have not been true. This element of the story might be open to individual viewer interpretation.
Director Sidney Lumet, who had nailed gritty urban crime dramas like Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico, seems a little out of his element with a family oriented drama like this one, but he really captures the isolation that this family is feeling. I love that quiet little scene when they've arrived in New Jersey and the four of them are cramped in that tiny motel room. It's so obvious that Annie and her sons are tired of living like this, but Arthur is calling the shots.
Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti work beautifully together as the Popes and the late River Phoenix's sensitive performance as young Danny earned him a Best Supporting actor Oscar nomination, the only one of his too short career. Also enjoyed a young Martha Plimpton as Danny's music teacher's teacher, who falls for him. Steven Hill shines in one amazing scene as Annie's father. Foner's screenplay also earned her a nomination and I loved Tony Mottola's music too. Great film.
Evocative direction by the incomparable Sidney Lumet, an edgy and disturbing story and some powerhouse performances are the primary reasons a 1988 drama called Running on Empty had me riveted to the screen with my stomach in knots.
The film stars Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti as Arthur and Annie Pope, who have two sons but have had to live their lives on the run because back in the 60's, Arthur and Annie participated in the destruction of a weapons lab that caused the near death of a janitor. The Popes seemed to have adjusted to the way they have to live and at the beginning of the film, they are observed moving their lives again from Florida to New Jersey, where they once again begin a new life, but this new life may have been compromised by older son's Danny's desire to study music at Julliard.
Screenwriter Naomi Foner has crafted a compelling story that almost immediately haunted this reviewer. Initially, because, even though this is a fictional story, I couldn't help but think about how many real Pope families there are out there who are still running and there is no doubt in my mind that there are, which gave an added layer of sadness to this story. It was so sad that these two young boys had to pay for their parents' mistakes in such a way. Most aggravating of all, as the story progresses, we begin to wonder if it is absolutely necessary for this family to live this way, or is this whole thing about the fact that Arthur just doesn't want to go to jail...a horrible thought that occurred to me about 2/3 of the way into the film, which may have not been true. This element of the story might be open to individual viewer interpretation.
Director Sidney Lumet, who had nailed gritty urban crime dramas like Dog Day Afternoon and Serpico, seems a little out of his element with a family oriented drama like this one, but he really captures the isolation that this family is feeling. I love that quiet little scene when they've arrived in New Jersey and the four of them are cramped in that tiny motel room. It's so obvious that Annie and her sons are tired of living like this, but Arthur is calling the shots.
Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti work beautifully together as the Popes and the late River Phoenix's sensitive performance as young Danny earned him a Best Supporting actor Oscar nomination, the only one of his too short career. Also enjoyed a young Martha Plimpton as Danny's music teacher's teacher, who falls for him. Steven Hill shines in one amazing scene as Annie's father. Foner's screenplay also earned her a nomination and I loved Tony Mottola's music too. Great film.