Movie Loner

One of the main reasons I started this blog was the opportunity to write about movies that affected me as a teenager. Sidney Lumet’s Running on Empty is one such movie. I was 16 when it was released, preoccupied with learning to drive and trying to get a girl to notice me. It was one my favorite films of the 1980’s and still hits me every time I see it. Although it received acclaim through River Phoenix’s Oscar nomination, I don’t think it was appreciated as being a great film.

In 1971, Arthur and Annie Pope blew up a napalm lab to protest the Vietnam War. An innocent bystander was killed in the blast and the FBI has been after them since. Flash forward 15+ years, the Pope’s have two sons. They change identities and residences to avoid being caught. Danny, the eldest son, played by Phoenix, is a gifted pianist. He practices on a cloth keyboard given to him by his mother Annie, superbly portrayed by Christine Lahti.

Danny’s dream is to attend Julliard. His father, played by Judd Hirsch, is vehemently opposed, fearing a family split-up would expose them to the authorities. Annie realizes Danny’s talent and is willing to sacrifice her safety to let him go. She even asks her father, whom she hasn’t seen in over 20 years, to take Danny in. This scene, between Lahti and Steven Hill, is one of the best pieces of acting I’ve ever witnessed on film. Raw and emotional, it stands out in a movie packed with powerful performances and scenes.

Running on Empty is about family. It’s an unbreakable bond, a bond that shares joy and pain together. We sacrifice for those we love. Not because we want to, but because we have to. That’s what it means to be human. Sidney Lumet has directed a lot of great movies, but none better than Running on Empty.

The trailer for Running on Empty: