Poster for Running on Empty (1988)

Movie PG-13

Running on Empty (1988)

Sep 9, 1988 · 1h 56m

7.5/10 TMDB user score
377 votes on TMDB

They chose their lives. Now their son must choose his.

The Popes are a family who haven't been able to use their real identity for years. In the late sixties, the parents set a weapons lab afire in an effort to hinder the government's Vietnam war campaign. Ever since then, the Popes have been on the run with the authorities never far behind. Their survival is threatened when their eldest son falls in love with a girl, and announces his wish to live his life on his own terms.

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Top cast

  • Christine Lahti Christine Lahti Annie Pope
  • River Phoenix River Phoenix Danny Pope
  • Judd Hirsch Judd Hirsch Arthur Pope
  • Jonas Abry Harry Pope
  • Martha Plimpton Martha Plimpton Lorna Phillips
  • Ed Crowley Mr. Phillips
  • L.M. Kit Carson L.M. Kit Carson Gus Winant
  • Steven Hill Steven Hill Donald Patterson
  • Augusta Dabney Augusta Dabney Abigail Patterson
  • David Margulies David Margulies Dr. Jonah Reiff
  • Lynne Thigpen Lynne Thigpen Contact at Eldridge St.
  • Marcia Jean Kurtz Marcia Jean Kurtz School Clerk
  • Sloane Shelton Sloane Shelton Mrs. Phillips
  • Justine Johnston Justine Johnston Librarian
  • Herb Lovelle Herb Lovelle Hospital Clerk
  • Bobo Lewis Bobo Lewis Home Ec Teacher

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