Running on Empty (1988)

[Frayed Knot]

Judd Hirsch & Christine Lahti have been under assumed names and on the run for two decades on account of crimes committed in the name of 1960s anti-war radicalism.
But the running and changing identities get tougher with two children in tow, especially when one of them grows up to be the teenaged, talented and heart-throbby River Phoenix.

[Edgy MD]

I kinda liked this, as part of the brief run of almost-memorable movies starring young River Phee.

[Guest sharpie]

Based on EL Docotorow's "The Book of Daniel." Movie didn't make much of an impression on me, book was better.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Book was much better.

I enjoyed the movie on its own merits, though, mostly for Rio-Phee.

[Vic Sage]

sharpie wrote: Based on EL Docotorow's "The Book of Daniel." Movie didn't make much of an impression on me, book was better.

Actually, DANIEL, with Timothy Hutton, was based on that Doctorow book. Like RUNNING ON EMPTY, they're both about the children of radicals, and they were both directed by Sidney Lumet. But RUNNING ON EMPTY is based an original script by Naomi Foner (maggie & jake gyllenhal's mom).