Running on Empty (1988)

Date	User	Rating
May 01, 2022	twincinema	80 _75th
This film should be called Running on Full! These actors are giving amazing performances. This made me realize why people loved River Phoenix so much.
Jan 11, 2021	matthagen	55 _63rd
A small family drama, filled with conflicted characters and emotions. Well acted and well crafted, it just lacks magic that would truly set itself above the crowd.
Dec 09, 2018	closedmouth	70 _41st
A little too clunky and heavy-handed at times to be truly great (thank the lord there's only one classroom scene, I was very concerned during the Madonna moment), but there are some great scenes throughout and the plot is genuinely interesting from start to finish. Lumet's direction is better than some of the other trash he directed during the '80s but it's still sadly anonymous and unremarkable compared to his hey-day.
Feb 14, 2016	Boxcars	9 _89th
Simultaneously tender and somber, 'Running on Empty' touches on many different dynamics and topics in a holistic fashion, barreling straight past potential melodrama into a sincere narrative. The film is carried by tear-wrenching performances, notably from Phoenix and Lahti.
Aug 11, 2014	Zipster	85 _68th
Running on Empty is a rarefied tender, moving drama in which a choice must be made between staying together or splitting apart and perhaps realizing a long-deferred possibility. The parents never met whatever potential they had, owing to their fugitive life. Now, are they warranted in making their son forsake his own future?
Oct 21, 2013	glm01	80 _64th
80.000
Jan 02, 2013	caiman	86 _82nd
I hadn't heard of this movie until I stumbled upon it by chance. Color me impressed. It veers into some cliches, but generally it's all handled with authenticity and sincerity. Some great performances helped me care about what happened to the characters. River Phoenix was a talented actor and the film world is worse off for having lost him.
Sep 06, 2012	DougieD	75 _43rd
A pretty good family drama. Competently made in every regard, but nothing really stands out to me aside from River Phoenix's acting.
Jun 20, 2012	braddad68	95 _84th
Excellent film and probably River Phoenix's best role.
Nov 28, 2009	nunstrangler	71 _60th
Well-performed, quiet, plausible drama.
Nov 11, 2007	meerkat	95 _90th
Even the happy moments in this film made me cry, even as I laughed. Warm and difficult and amazing. Christine Lahti was amazing, I would love Judd Hirsch for this and Ordinary People alone, Martha Plimpton is incredible, and as for River Phoenix, he died much too early and when he did we lost one of the best actors of our time. Sidney Lumet is a phenomenal director. This just became one of my favorite films.
May 21, 2007	Moribunny	73 _79th
Formidable coming of age movie, very well-made. As always, Lumet is able to bring out stunning performances from everyone in the cast - excellent actors are even more excellent when put in this director's hands.

Average Percentile 65.72% from 385 Ratings