River Phoenix's only Oscar nomination was for Running On Empty. (He lost to Kevin Kline in A Fish Called Wanda. A fair enough call, even today.) The movie's topic and clips might make it seem melodramatic, but surprisingly, it still comes off as a well-done film. The dramatic moments can be a little over-the-top, but the overall package makes it all worthwhile. The details of a good story are there, in addition to some endearingly sweet characters.
A Child of Radical Vietnam Protestors
Phoenix plays Danny Pope (mostly known as Michael, his alias, in the course of the film), the son of two Vietnam War protestors wanted by the FBI for blowing up a napalm lab in which a janitor was inadvertently blinded. Danny is very musically gifted--his talents on the piano catch the attention of his music teacher in his new town. He's about to graduate, and a successful audition at Juilliard (attended in secret) speak of a promising future. He even has devoted girlfriend Lorna (Martha Plimpton), with whom he is in love and has even shared his family's secret. Their oddball and offbeat nature make for a great couple; their scenes are both humorous and charming.
Fugitives On the Run From the Government
Unfortunately for Danny, pressure begins to mount for his family to move again, and if he stays behind when they move, he won't be able to see them again for years. His mother flirts with turning herself and her husband in, but the family has a younger son to raise. A genuinely difficult conflict for everyone arises--the mother (Christine Lahti) is clearly intent on choosing what's best for her sons. The father (Judd Hirsch) is driven more by passion and an inability to acknowledge the change the future must bring. He seems to be unable to break routine--his safety net. The parents' dynamic--not only the steadfast devotion to each other but the nuances of a longterm relationship--makes for very realistic and compelling story-telling.
Awkward Teenagers, Emotional Angst
The kids, Lorna and Danny, have some of the more awkwardly melodramatic scenes in the movie. When Lorna is initially irate at what she thinks is Danny's reluctance to sleep with her, Danny opens up about his family's covert life. While many of their scenes together feel a little angsty, some of the best moments come from a combination of good writing and nuanced performances. Both actors, at their young age in particular, deliver some fairly tender and poignant scenes.
As a result, these strong performances and a touchingly human story mingle to create a memorable film. Age has (mostly) been kind to Running On Empty, and it easily merits either a revisiting or a first-time viewing.
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