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The Storyline of Running on Empty
Running on Empty is a 1988 drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Naomi Foner. The movie tells the story of a family who are constantly on the move, as they try to avoid being caught by the FBI. Annie and Arthur Pope are former activists who were involved in a bombing that resulted in the death of a janitor. Now, they live under fake identities with their two sons, Danny and Harry.
The movie is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s, during the height of Vietnam War protests and civil unrest in America. The family moves from town to town, changing their names, identities, and even their appearances to stay ahead of the authorities.
The Casts of Running on Empty
The movie boasts an impressive cast, with Christine Lahti playing Annie Pope and Judd Hirsch as her husband Arthur Pope. Martha Plimpton played their daughter Lorna while River Phoenix portrayed their older son Danny Pope.
The performances of all cast members were outstanding, but River Phoenix’s performance in particular was praised by critics. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie, but unfortunately didn’t get to live long enough to receive the award as he died at a young age of 23.
The Plot of Running on Empty
The plot of Running on Empty explores familial love and loyalty, as well as the consequences of taking radical action in the face of injustice. The film follows Danny Pope’s struggle with his parents’ decision to keep him and his brother away from any kind of roots or long-term relationships, in order to avoid getting caught by the FBI.
As Danny gets closer to graduation, he starts to question whether he wants to continue living on the run or if he wants to finally settle down and lead a normal life. Meanwhile, Annie and Arthur struggle with their guilt over causing a man’s death years ago, and their inability to turn themselves in without sacrificing their family.
Facts About Running on Empty
Did you know that Running on Empty was made with a budget of only $9 million? Despite this relatively small budget, the film received critical acclaim and grossed roughly $3.5 million at the box office.
Another interesting fact about this movie is that it was filmed on location in New Jersey, New York City and also Oregon. The use of real-life locations adds authenticity to the film’s characters who are always moving from one place to another.
Quotes from Running on Empty
Running on Empty is full of memorable quotes and dialogues, such as:
“How do you know what’s possible when you don’t try?” – Danny Pope.
“I want you to be happy. I just thought I could make you happy in your own time.” – Annie Pope.
“I guess the question is, can you forgive yourself?” – Danny Pope.
The Acting and Characters in Running on Empty
One of the best things about Running on Empty is its outstanding cast and their exceptional performances. Christine Lahti’s portrayal of Annie Pope was both fierce and tender, while Judd Hirsch was convincing as a father who wants the best for his family but is limited by his past mistakes.
Martha Plimpton was equally impressive as Lorna, a teenager who struggles with her parents’ past while trying to find her own identity. And River Phoenix’s performance as Danny Pope was simply outstanding. His acting displayed raw emotion, ranging from anger and bitterness to sadness and hopelessness.
The History of Running on Empty
Running on Empty was released in 1988, during a time of political and cultural changes in America. The film explores the effects of radical action during the Vietnam War protests and how families were affected by their decisions to fight for their beliefs. It is a poignant commentary on the repercussions of idealism and how we deal with our past, secrets, and family loyalty.
The Score and Popularity of Running on Empty
The score of this movie was composed by Tony Award-winning composer Mark Isham. The score combines different musical styles, from classical to jazz, which helps to underscore the mood and emotions associated with each scene.
Despite being relatively unknown compared to other popular films released in 1988 such as Die Hard or Rain Man, Running on Empty still managed to leave a lasting impact on those who watched it. It currently has an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is considered one of the best films about political activism.
Evaluation of Running on Empty
Running on Empty is a powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking film that explores the consequences of radical action and its effects on family ties. The movie manages to balance political idealism with personal convictions and familial love without diminishing either aspect. The acting, storyline, and score are exceptional and truly make this movie worth watching.
The Cinematography of Running on Empty
The cinematography in Running on Empty is superb, with the wide shots of various locations capturing the transient nature of the Pope family’s lives. The camera work also helps to convey Danny Pope’s inner struggles as he tries to come to terms with his past and future.
Opinion About Running on Empty
In my opinion, Running on Empty is a must-see movie that gives us an insight into the complexities of family dynamics in times of political upheaval. It shows us how difficult it can be to reconcile personal convictions with broader ideals and how these decisions can have lasting impacts not only on us but also those we love.
Gossip About Running on Empty
Despite being released over 30 years ago, Running on Empty still manages to generate some gossip, such as rumors of a possible remake or sequel. However, there haven’t been any official announcements regarding these speculations.
The Soundtracks of Running on Empty
The soundtrack for Running on Empty features songs from different artists like Linda Ronstadt or James Taylor, and also includes original scores by Mark Isham. The music complements the mood of the movie perfectly and helps to reinforce the themes of love, loyalty, and idealism.
The Analysis of Running on Empty
Running on Empty is a movie that can be analyzed in various ways. It can be viewed as a commentary on political activism and its effects on those who participated, as well as their loved ones. The film can also be seen as an exploration of familial love and loyalty and how they are affected by secrets and guilt.
Special Effects in Running on Empty
Running on Empty is not a movie that relies heavily on special effects. However, the use of real-life locations, as well as the transformation of the characters’ appearances, does add a sense of authenticity and realism to the movie.
The Dialogue in Running on Empty
The dialogue in Running on Empty is well-written and realistic. The conversations between the family members are honest and raw, with no sugar-coating or clichés. The lines are delivered with conviction by the actors, which makes them even more believable.
The Crews Who Worked on Running on Empty
Running on Empty was directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Naomi Foner. The camera crew included cinematographer Gerry Fisher, while Marisa Clayton and Tom Fleischman were responsible for sound mixing and editing respectively. All of these individuals played a crucial role in making this movie a memorable one.
The Criticism Against Running on Empty
Despite its critical acclaim, Running on Empty did receive some criticism. Some viewers felt that the film’s portrayal of political activism was too idealistic or romanticized. Others thought that certain plot points were too unrealistic or contrived.
Production Behind Running on Empty
The production of Running on Empty was relatively smooth, with no major hiccups or delays. Shooting took place over ten weeks in various locations in New Jersey, New York, and Oregon. The total production cost was around $9 million.
Editing in Running on Empty
The editing of Running on Empty was done by Tom Fleischman, who did an exceptional job of pacing the film and keeping the audience engaged. The interplay between various flashbacks and present-day scenes was seamless and helped to reinforce the theme of family ties.
In Conclusion
Running on Empty is a movie that will tug at your heartstrings while making you think about the repercussions of our actions. It is an outstanding film that explores themes such as loyalty, love, guilt, and idealism. Despite being over 30 years old, it still manages to hold up today and is worth watching for its exceptional acting performances alone.