Review of Running on Empty (1991) by John A — 08 Jul 2008

Jackie held me hostage while I was in Seattle and made me watch this movie. Her uncanny ability to produce brilliant, obscure flicks from the 80's from the depths of her bookshelf always amazes me.

This was the first River Phoenix movie I'd ever seen, and although every time Ed Crowley appeared on the screen I experienced discordant flashbacks to his role as the frantic dad in "Independence Day," I loved the story, appreciated the overwrought acting, and in general allowed myself to get all emotional about a kid who likes to play the piano and has to change his name every time his family relocates to a new town.