7.5
Viewer Rating
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources
Drama, Romance, Crime • 1988 • 116 min • Teen (13+)
Running on Empty (1988)
Running on Empty (1988)
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
River Phoenix • Christine Lahti • Judd Hirsch
Where to watch
Rating & Dimensions
Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Political: Center
Diversity: Low
Viewer Rating
7.5
Overview
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.
Starring Cast
River Phoenix • Christine Lahti • Judd Hirsch
Where to watch
Detailed Bias Analysis
Analyzing...
Leans Traditional
Primary
Political: Center
Confidence: High
The film explores the complex human consequences of radical political commitment, balancing sympathy for the parents' anti-war convictions with a strong emphasis on the children's right to individual autonomy and a stable life, resulting in a neutral stance on political ideology.
Diversity: Low
Confidence: High
The movie features traditional casting without explicit race or gender swaps of roles. Its narrative focuses on the specific struggles of the characters without critically portraying traditional identities or making DEI themes central to the story.
Secondary
LGBTQ: N/A
Confidence: High
The film "Running on Empty" does not feature any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Its narrative centers on a family living underground due to their political past, exploring themes of family loyalty, sacrifice, and a son's coming-of-age. Therefore, an evaluation of LGBTQ+ portrayal is not applicable.
Trans: N/A
Confidence: High
Running on Empty (1988) is a drama centered on a family living underground due to their past political activism. The film does not feature any transsexual characters or explore related themes, focusing instead on family loyalty, identity, and the challenges of their fugitive lifestyle.
Female Combat: N/R
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High
Running on Empty (1988) is an original film with no prior source material, historical figures, or previous installments. Therefore, no characters existed with a pre-established gender to be swapped.
Race Swap: No
Confidence: High
Running on Empty is an original film from 1988, not an adaptation of pre-existing material or a biopic. Therefore, its characters do not have a prior canonical or historical race to be altered.
Viewer Rating Breakdown
User Ratings
7.6
7.4
Critic Ratings
8.1
6.7
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