RUNNING ON EMPTY

"I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I'd see you again." - Fire & Rain, Birdy (cover) #np

 Running on Empty, a movie about Popes family struggling to survive together while on the run from the FBI where they have to constantly relocate and change their identity. The movie focus on River Phoenix's character, Danny, who had been living on the run and keeping his family secrets from other people was a routine to him. Danny finally found himself in conflict where he was internally battling with his desire to live real authentic life as he grew fond of the town they were in at that moment. The movie is also focus on how the family kept on running from the pasts, especially the parents, Annie and Arthur, when the things they tried to forget seems to keep on catching them, hence the title, Running on Empty make a lot of sense to the lifestyle they have to live. From the lifestyle we know this family is very unusual in terms of their relationships and family systems. We also understand how it affects on the family especially Danny.

Danny's relationship with his mother

For me, the most interesting part of the movie is the interactions of the family members and how they adapt to such a unique family system. When they are living under the radar of the FBI the only safe place they can get is within the walls of their house. The family understands deeply that everything they have is temporary, except each other. Even the house is a temporary sanctuary for them plus their names and works are temporary, they seek comfort from each other making their bond in the family strong. Outside the walls might be a threat for them, but they managed to trust each other regardless of the tension they are feeling from the outside. Danny is more matured than his age because of the circumstances and the way his parents nurture his is different from any typical family. For example, Danny is ready to throw away his dreams and the idea of what he wants to become as a person because of the love he has for his family. Danny keeps on living under his parents rules and conditions even he did not feel any sense of freedom as a teenager. He keeps on loving his parents and respect them with whatever they have as family, which is not so much to offer.

Danny's love and respect to his dad

According to Murray Bowen's Family System Theory, family is an emotional unit and family members emotionally interdependent to each other (Kerr, 1988). Family members reciprocate emotionally as shown in the movie. Danny loves and respects his parents because both of his parents respect him and treat him like adult. He understands that his parents need him just as much as he needs them. On the birthday scene, Danny invited Lorna to the birthday party without his parents' permission. He knew his parents won't be mad at him, and he was right, his parents understood his needs of a friend, they carry on celebrating as like nothing is wrong. They showed Lorna happy times, and this shows that they trust each other greatly.

Danny and Lorna

Another interesting arch on this movie is the relationships of Danny and Lorna. Both of them feel in love with each other, both of their personalities and presences are matching, making them suitable for each other. However, as the relationships grows, Lorna feel as she is the only one opening up to Danny and always have a doubt on Danny's honesty in the relationship. Lorna feel disconnected to Danny as she tries to go through the layers of emotions from Danny's side. This connected to the theory of relationship satisfaction related to self-disclosure to the partner. The more couples self-disclosed to one another, the greater the satisfaction on the relationships (Gable, Gonzaga & Strachman, 2006). The lacks of self-disclosure from Danny makes Lorna feels their relationship lacks in intimacy, connected to the theory of disclosure reciprocity (Miller, 1990). When Danny finally tells Lorna about his real identity and his family's secret, Lorna feels a huge relief, and she understands Danny even more than before making her love to Danny intensifies.

References:

Kerr, Michael E (1988) "Chronic anxiety and defining a self: An introduction to murray bowen's theory of human emotional functioning." Atlantic Monthly September: 35-58.

Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will you be there for me when things go right? Supportive responses to positive event disclosures. Journal of personality and social psychology, 91(5), 904.


Miller, L. C. (1990). Intimacy and liking: mutual influence and the role of unique relationships. Journal of personality and social psychology, 59(1), 50.