Running on Empty explores the familial relationships so crucial to identity formation. Annie Pope (Christine Lahti) transmits to son Danny (River Phoenix) her musical gift, but also imbues him with an exceptional sensitivity and appreciation of beauty. But her own life has gone disastrously astray because of her misguided attempt to protest the manufacturing of napalm, used by American forces in the Vietnam War. She and her husband (Judd Hirsch) blow up a chemical plant and, in the process, seriously injure a janitor. The guilt and lawlessness of the event cause Annie to miss out on the promise of her own life.
Running on Empty chronicles her childrens' struggle to learn from their gifted, beautiful yet ultimately troubled parents without sinking from the mistakes of the earlier generation. It is a timeless story that will continue to have relevance for all generations. For Running on Empty explores one of the mysteries of life. How do we learn from our elders without destroying ourselves because of their flaws and mistakes?
Not only is the theme rich and deep, the execution of Running on Empty is flawless. Christine Lahti and River Phoenix, particularly, give moving performances. The filmmakers know how to use music and the sparse, haunting score and use of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" are perfect.
If you have a mother or a father, a grandmother or a grandfather...and they are imperfect yet still deserving of love and respect, this is a movie for you.
Running on Empty chronicles her childrens' struggle to learn from their gifted, beautiful yet ultimately troubled parents without sinking from the mistakes of the earlier generation. It is a timeless story that will continue to have relevance for all generations. For Running on Empty explores one of the mysteries of life. How do we learn from our elders without destroying ourselves because of their flaws and mistakes?
Not only is the theme rich and deep, the execution of Running on Empty is flawless. Christine Lahti and River Phoenix, particularly, give moving performances. The filmmakers know how to use music and the sparse, haunting score and use of James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" are perfect.
If you have a mother or a father, a grandmother or a grandfather...and they are imperfect yet still deserving of love and respect, this is a movie for you.