DVD Review: Running On Empty

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All in the family.

Annie and Arthur Pope (Christine Lahti and Judd Hirsch) have been on the run for years. They blew up a building to protest the war and now they must live with fake identities. Unfortuntely this means their young songs have to do the same. Danny, (River Phoenix) is a piano prodigy who is nearly 18. He must make a choice, continue to live this lie, or go on to become a musician and follow his dreams.

River Phoenix was truely one of a kind, the depth he showed at such a young age is amazing. He didn't play all the piano peices by himself, but he memorized the movements to make it as legit as he could. He steals scenes left and right. The film would've been mediocre without him. You really start to feel his pain and insecurities with the situation he is in. When he encounters love for the first time (with real life girlfriend Martha Plimpton) we as the audience want him to confess and just have what he's working so hard for. It's hard to watch kids having to pay for their parent's mistakes.

While Phoenix's Oscar nominated performance is the highlight, the rest of the cast give solid performances as well. The pacing is great and you legitimently care about what happens to this family.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B+

Memorable Quote: "Why do you have to carry the burden of someone else's life?" - Lorna (Martha Plimpton)

Comments

  1. Running On Empty 2011October 17, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    This movie is full of drama. The story doesn't have anything new still performance of Phoenix is highlight of the movie. On the whole this movie deserves a watch. I also like the quote mentioned above. It has very deep and strong meaning.

    ReplyDelete

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