The Late/Great Sidney Lumet was a filmmaker, who tackled various genres, with the distinctiveness, only a few filmmakers have achieved. He wasn't just a director, he was a man with a voice. And with 'Running on Empty', Lumet depicts Family in its truest & harshest form. And of course, The Late/Great River Phoenix is beyond excellence.
'Running on Empty' Synopsis: The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.
'Running on Empty' isn't merely a tale about fugitives, its a tale, of family, bond & coming of age. Lumet, the master, presents a brutally honest story about a family running away from nothingness, until the eldest son realizes his righteous voice. And Lumet is up for the claps, as he exuberantly captures the restlessness of youth. Naomi Foner's Award-Winning Screenplay is genius. The Writing is at times, about nothing, and at times, about everything. Also, the sub-plot involving Phoenix's love-interest (played by Martha Plimpton) glues in wonderfully. The Writing takes each step with care & the result overall, is top-notch. Lumet's Direction is perfection. Cinematography & Editing are admirable.
Performance-Wise: River Phoenix is extraordinary. His portrayal of a young boy coming of age & trying to break-free from his family's mistakes, is one for the ages. One of the most naturals actors ever, Phoenix who left us 25 years ago, was a performer with the strength of a true heavyweight. And in Lumet's hands, Phoenix left us spell-bound. Judd Hirsch, a legend in his own right, is fabulous, as always. I've never come across a single bad performance by Hirsch & I'd like to believe, that there are none. Christine Lahti is remarkably restrained; her sequence with her father, is truly commendable. Martha Plimpton shines, in one her earliest & finest performances to date.
On the whole, 'Running on Empty' is a force. This Is Essential Viewing.
'Running on Empty' Synopsis: The eldest son of a fugitive family comes of age and wants to live a life of his own.
'Running on Empty' isn't merely a tale about fugitives, its a tale, of family, bond & coming of age. Lumet, the master, presents a brutally honest story about a family running away from nothingness, until the eldest son realizes his righteous voice. And Lumet is up for the claps, as he exuberantly captures the restlessness of youth. Naomi Foner's Award-Winning Screenplay is genius. The Writing is at times, about nothing, and at times, about everything. Also, the sub-plot involving Phoenix's love-interest (played by Martha Plimpton) glues in wonderfully. The Writing takes each step with care & the result overall, is top-notch. Lumet's Direction is perfection. Cinematography & Editing are admirable.
Performance-Wise: River Phoenix is extraordinary. His portrayal of a young boy coming of age & trying to break-free from his family's mistakes, is one for the ages. One of the most naturals actors ever, Phoenix who left us 25 years ago, was a performer with the strength of a true heavyweight. And in Lumet's hands, Phoenix left us spell-bound. Judd Hirsch, a legend in his own right, is fabulous, as always. I've never come across a single bad performance by Hirsch & I'd like to believe, that there are none. Christine Lahti is remarkably restrained; her sequence with her father, is truly commendable. Martha Plimpton shines, in one her earliest & finest performances to date.
On the whole, 'Running on Empty' is a force. This Is Essential Viewing.