Running on Empty (1988) - "Fire and Rain" Scene

[@sdratlas]

It's so tragic his life ended only five years later. He would have become quite easily one of the most definitively talents Hollywood would ever have, even being alive for 23 years. Glad his brother has also had a successful career.

[@relaxhedx7064]

@Lisa Surlie shut up troll

[@azaka3720]

@Lisa Surlie shut the fuck up, ur in every River's video u troll

[@Nominay]

I think it matters what River wanted for himself. Before his death he wanted to quit acting and focus on music.

[@EdwardC.WilliamsII]

​@Nominay He did want to quit acting that is true and I also heard he wanted to live in Costa Rica in the rainforest

[@ehmlayyyy2913]

I absolutely love this scene. It makes me realize that the small things in life, the ones people tend to forget to appreciate, like dancing around and having fun with your family, are just as beautiful, if not more, than so many other things. They all look completely happy and the song and emotion just make this scene absolutely splendid. River would have continued to do great things had he been alive today. RIP

[@ehmlayyyy2913]

Lisa Surlie you do realize just because people have addictions doesn’t ALWAYS mean they’re shit people for the rest of their lives or don’t turn things around, right? I mean, unless you knew him personally, kind of a stretch to say he was a douchebag or a shit person. Are you gonna post to everybody else on here 8 years later, too, if they’ve said something nice about River? I mean, I got the notification, might as well respond 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ehmlayyyy2913]

Lisa Surlie ahhh I see, you ARE going to make stupid comments years later to others based on the ones I’ve just seen on other posts. Get outta here, #troll

[@biancabosio9792]

This is one of the most beautiful scenes i have ever seen.

[@wisawall]

This scene and the end scene with Fire and Rain are so perfect, every time I hear this song now I think of River.

[@mauonline]

Tears in my eyes people, tears in my eyes.

[@raineobrien6338]

It’s almost as if nothing is this innocent anymore. It makes me sad.

[@Nominay]

I always thought this was one of the sweetest scenes I've seen in a movie. Maybe this is why.

[@John-sr2hr]

Yes. Today, the kids would just be on their phones and be too embarrassed to sing or dance lol. I'm basically still a kid (only 25) and I grew up right at the end of the "innocence" I'm talking about. My parents LOVE this song and James Taylor, and we'd sing this song all the time while hanging out after dinner. I didn't even know this movie existed until today, so it surprised me how realistic this scene is and how close it resembles my childhood. I'm a drug addict, been addicted since I was 14, been on heroin for over a year now, barely hanging on, and this scene just completely broke me today. I so miss the innocent times of my childhood with my family and would do anything to get back to it, just for a day. I really want to quit and get my life back in order so that one day I can have a moment like this with kids of my own, but its just so damn hard. I'm scared that if I try to go cold turkey again, the withdrawals would be so painful that I might grab my hunting rifle and take the easy way out. But I need to try.

[@badreddine341]

@@John-sr2hr hey bro i am literally crying while reading ur comment i am so sorry no one answered ur comment for FOUR months, please i need you to stay strong, u gotta quit, quit for yourself, i hate the world we live in, i honestly envy you for having such a great childhood, it wasn’t the case for me, please please hang on to yourself so that u can be ready to offer the same childhood and an even better one to ur children! would u care giving ur instagram or anything i want to talk to you more, please know that ur not alone I HOPE U SEE MY COMMENT

[@Nominay]

You would never see a scene like this in a movie now. Such a simple, sweet sentiment is sadly part of a bygone era.

[@kdizzle901]

Sydney Lumet was a genius from his first film to his final

[@mercya7192]

The way he portrayed the awkwardness and tenderness of having feelings for someone for the very first time is so beautiful...this whole scene just puts a big smile on my face. Again Hollywood ruined another innocent soul R.I.P. River ❤

[@doradebosco]

@Lisa Surlie What is wrong with you? Oh yeah,everything.

[@pdxeddie1111]

It was a little more than that she was a bridge between the past and future at least in the flick but who hasn't known the family that weren't like aliens?

[@pdxeddie1111]

what I forgot was how beautiful Martha was back then, she was a beauty. Too bad River hadn't figured that out then

[@connerhendrick6266]

One of the most heart warning scenes of all time. The song itself is enough. But then humans who are struggling and in pain being able to put everyhting aside for 3 minutes and just be infitniley happy is do touching. Simple times. People should strive for this genuiness

[@garymcdonald7165]

One of my favorite scenes of this movie. All the actors are great with River Phoenix and the amazing song by the amazing James Taylor was perfect!

[@MM-pn5ud]

The only time I have seen my father cry was while watching Running on Empty

[@libsmusic8879]

It is an amazing movie.

[@aldogrant3307]

this scene makes me so happy yet sad idk what to feel

[@davidandrews2972]

It's a simple scene, but well enough acted to make my heart hurt...in a good way.

[@kmstx1978]

One of my favorite films of all time. So beautiful, heartfelt, and moving. The father/daughter reunion scene and the final scene get me every time.

[@mordecaiesther3591]

This film never got its due . It ran against the grain of Reagan’s agenda . So it was put the side .

[@aprilshowers769]

This makes me cry every once in awhile I look the scene up. I always end up thinking how much time we lost with River

[@봄-u3u]

제가 가장 사랑하는 영화 중의 하나입니다 ㅠ

[@pinkhuggies23]

I always replay this part of the movie,it's nice to know im not the only one who likes this part.

[@futureright7]

Though this is a very happy scene, but tears in my eyes are unstoppable response. R.I.P. River Phoenix. You are a phoenix in my mind.

[@pam0626]

Beautiful movie and every actor is perfect in their role. The screenplay was written by Jake Gyllenhaal’s mother.

[@masketorpe]

Nope. By Maggie Gyllenhaal's mother.

[@pam0626]

@@masketorpe Let’s compromise. Maggie & Jake’s mother. 😃

[@henrycodm896]

Really kinda an end to that hopeful feeling that we had in the early days.😬

[@kdizzle901]

And directed by Sydney Lumet

[@ChrisWolff2013]

River Phoenix + James Taylor + Sidney Lumet= Instant classic. Thank you Mr. Lumet.

[@C_C-G]

I love all the actors in this beautiful scene, and the song is perfect. Tears in my eyes every time… I will never forget it. Such a shame River died so young, he was so talented!

[@caitlinbelforti870]

I wonder what Martha Plimpton thinks looking back on her years with River. I can't imagine the grief mixed with joy and fondness she must feel. I think he'd be super proud of her and all she's accomplished.

[@MsStefiiiii]

I love this scene

[@JinHyungKim-lr4it]

Stefania Sar Me either!!

[@memey3448]

This is my absolute favorite movie of my life!!!!!😍😭 love River Phinox! And love this song. It means so much to me and my life!

[@JinHyungKim-lr4it]

The scene is love nothing less. Bless you all.

[@hildamarmolejo1568]

My favorite movie and my favorite song. It is bittersweet.

[@millionaeris2689]

Still one of the best films ever made in my humble opinion. Inspired me to buy piano sheet music and teach myself how to play! River was such a beautiful soul 💞

[@whateverwhatever5715]

I have this movie on DVD , found it at a discount book store ..it's one of River's best roles ..he should have won the Oscar ( he was nominated) for it ...it's one of the purest characters he played in my opinion along with his role as Chris Chambers

[@tayladunn7490]

Yeah, but at least he was a good sport when Kevin Kline won the award !! ❤️❤️

[@amusicfan25a21]

​@@tayladunn7490River also worked with Kevin Kline.

[@linnycrocus6023]

I love one shot scenes like this. So natural and beautiful. And I love that they dated in real life

[@KB-sv7fm]

I can’t believe that Christine Lahti wasn’t nominated for an Oscar.

[@ChrisWolff2013]

Goddamn travesty. She was brilliant.

[@ryanevans8566]

The lunchtime scene with Christine Lahti and Steven Hill is an all-timer.

[@younjooshin80]

the best movie in my life

[@grownknow6857]

me too

[@mspotato1354]

Thank you River for inspiring me to become an enviromentalist. And learning guitar as well.

[@KB-sv7fm]

I loved this scene because it reminded me of those special times with my family as a kid. Times where I could feel uninhibited because I knew my family wouldn’t judge me. I could relax in a way that I couldn’t relax at other times. This scene captures the essence of family perfectly , largely because it is done in a way that isn’t sappy.

[@brisiwinton]

one of my favorite scenes in the movie.. the ending was something else especially when the song fire and rain (as the cast sung it) echoed as the image of river starts to fade..

[@beanielou8148]

The 80’s and 90’s seemed like the greatest times honestly.

[@aprilshowers769]

I cry every time every single time

[@8dakini8]

Wow Martha Plimpton voice is wonderful!!!

[@LiirThropp2687]

So much talent in this scene. Love this movie. RIP, River. A beautiful soul taken too soon.

[@lucyluvsclutch]

Oh man! This is a great movie!!!

[@jacobjones5269]

There’s some moments in film you never forget.. They stay with you forever, and keep you coming back in the hope of rediscovering that magic..

[@GITMachine]

This movie is an absolute gem.

[@sicidamara7061]

this makes me cry and everytime I hear this song I think of this scene.

[@tarshamicolavonfurstenrech1393]

you have no clue how much I'm crying😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 this one of the most beautiful and sad things I'll ever watch. just wow, this touches me so hard

[@RLLUMB]

I come back to this scene every now and then to smile and pretend I’m there dancing with this family in this happy scene 😀

[@leerics5311]

He was so gentleman and sweet

[@beanielou8148]

This is my favorite movie scene ever 🙏

[@cazb5777]

I remember feeling very tearful in the cinema during this scene all those years ago & to this day I still don’t know why.. I loved this movie so much though & whenever I listen to this song I think of this scene 🥹🩷

[@impoppypanda]

This scene made such a haunting impression when I first seen this movie... & this movie made me take notice of River Phoenix when I seen this, I was 17yo. & River Phoenix prolly 18. The song made an equal impression as well, as my name is in the song. It’s just sad all the way around, thinking back then what would the world was & what it isn’t today.

[@tommycoe2333]

What a wholesome scene.

[@jylianaj2570]

*this scene is literally perfect and so wholesome* 😭

[@Emjenel]

Such a beautiful scene! And it looks so real!

[@jimscribner8314]

This was my 1971 New Canaan High School Graduation song in Connecticut. It was like the last year of the Vietnam War Draft a few months after Kent State and on top of that one of our senior classmates named John Rice had just been arrested for the ax murders of his little brother and sister, his mother and his grandmother just before Christmas 1970. My mother was living out of town with one of her boyfriends at the time but she was there for my graduation. I didn't know it at the time, and I'm not sure if she did, but she had a terminal illness that was going to kill her about a year later. Very special song to me. Thank you.

[@mbajobue]

Very sad story, dear Jim. You moved me. I can imagine how many memories brings you this song. All the best.

[@linnycrocus6023]

Lol of course Connecticut involves an axe murder.

[@bebelapratto11]

River forever!

[@cdasa005]

One of the BEST scenes in a movie EVER! I think if River would have just stayed off drugs him & Martha would have made it, but alas he couldn't & she wanted no part of all of that. Such a shame. He was so damn talented & OMG absolutely GORGEOUS.

[@sansalejandro634]

Thanks James, I've never forgotten this song since I heard it in this movie, I was 18 years old and and there have been 30 years

[@pinkjammiesss666]

One of the best scenes in the film.

[@shelbeepollino9008]

I watched this movie for the first time yesterday and I’ve watched this clip about fifteen times since then, it’s wonderful💛

[@newtownbelievers5862]

This scene 😭 my childhood family life was madness and abuse but music always brought us together in this way. The best times. ❤

[@dannyz7904]

The little boy is my English teacher!! Lmao

[@davidcavill1518]

lmfao wut

[@timidkitten1709]

Really???

[@jingleheimerjohns]

Ghost Raccoon!! Tell us the whole story,

[@dannyz7904]

Timid Kitten lmao yeah, I graduated 2 years ago tho but he was my English teacher. 😂 he was the coolest teacher in the school

[@dannyz7904]

Lisa Surlie no lol wtf is that

[@nomo3013]

This gave a great song even greater meaning 😭

[@wazzupoa]

I love this scene and i think what makes me smile is when River smiles/laughs at 1:51 :)

[@angelynangoumbi2632]

I live in France and I saw this movie with my class, it is geniale and I have to cry has the end so this movie is magnificent.River Phoenix was a big actor, this scene is just moving < 3

[@scottishdude9161]

I watched this years ago loved it. And James Taylor singing fire and rain. Better times in the memory bank. Look at us now.

[@thebewitchinghour831]

Great movie! Feel bad for those who have never experienced this movie.

[@freedom83peace]

i've seen this movie with my school in my country (i'm french), i've cry cause it's really moving

[@kylebucheri9370]

Didnt know much about river till i reached adulthood (born in 87) much respect

[@verprtectivefangirl2238]

Martha had no idea how lucky she was. I would sell my soul to the devil just to hold him like that😍😫

[@Josh-kt6jh]

Megan Moz rule number 1 never sell your soul to the devil!!

[@verprtectivefangirl2238]

But River😏

[@verprtectivefangirl2238]

Jesus I’m late replying

[@anaparada7219]

@@Josh-kt6jh greetings from the great state of Arkansas very true River Phoenix was just a human being just like the rest ofus we're not supposed to sell our souls to the devil for anyone or anything God bless you and yours you're very wise 🙏🙏💯 River might have been a good looking man but he was a walking contradiction

[@anaparada7219]

@@verprtectivefangirl2238 greetings from the great state of Arkansas you must be joking River Phoenix was just a human being just like the rest of us his family was from the Gainesville area they used to beg and panhandle River helped his mother and father even at a very young age we lived in Gainesville area for a long time they can have Florida so glad to be away from there River might have been gorgeous and had good qualities but he was a drug addict started with marijuana drinking cigarettes he was a walking contradiction his parents should have helped him his family should have done an intervention and sent him to

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

Happy 50th bday sweet Rio. Today your 🌈 shines bright.

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

This part of ROE is delightful.. River was/is amazzzzing! I HAVE SEEN FIRE AND I HAVE SEEN RAIN, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SEE YOU AGAIN...

[@catloveme3206]

The little brother was so cute. Miss you river :(

[@TowerJunkie]

My favorite of River's movies. He was a true talent. R. I. P. This was the first I'd heard this song and it always brings the end to mind. The truck just driving around. The sad and happy all rolled into one.

[@buzzkill9991]

Judd hirch a great actor

[@lucyluvsclutch]

He was absolutely amazing in this movie!

[@sarahphoenixx]

Oh, River. I hope you’re at peace. You’re an uncle to little River Phoenix now. Bless the phoenix family.

[@elliottmonk]

Y didn't care for this song until i saw this movie.Now.....veeeeery deep!

[@karena222fu]

loved this movie- this was my fave scene TY

[@ashleymillan7]

Beautiful scene 😍❤️

[@billiecobain4177]

This is such a great movie, one of my faves scenes too.

[@isabella6206]

Wow I adore this song it always brings tears to my eyes Thank you James Taylor! Ps how brilliant are 80s films!

[@casperleegrace2161]

This scene makes me cry. This whole movie makes me cry. Danny and Lorna have a true love spawning from emotion. Now-a-days love don't even really exist. It's all about sex now. Not "making love", just sex. This movie and the story is beautiful. Rio is so fricking talented too. And ofcourse, beautiful as ever. Also yeah, Danny and Lorna dancing is real cute and sweet, but Stephen is so hilariously adorable lmfaooo

[@reginaldfairfield]

I love this movie!!

[@brandydavine4194]

Great movie

[@Foxstang4life]

Seems like all the great talent passes on really young . .

[@77memyselfandi]

Love this movie!

[@stephengagliardi4506]

Just a great scene

[@onefoot7]

James Taylor himself said that you make out what you want from his songs, he actually channels the songs anyway, so though he heard it first, it is all our songs, he gets credit cause he is a great channeler and artist, and he should...but it is fitting wherever you want the song...Fire and rain ALWAYS makes me very happy, I get happiness from Fire and Rain, no sadness whatsoever from James' poetry

[@toketa]

I really like this film

[@fr0gpizza162]

This straight up radiates euphoria

[@revenge7762]

give me goosebumps everytime.

[@sgs125]

amazing movie

[@風花-w3f]

Baseball is my life.

[@elizabeth1977]

love this scene

[@ryanevans8566]

Martha Plimpton has a lovely singing voice.

[@Iceis_Phoenix]

She not a good person though

[@pookiecatblue]

@@Iceis_Phoenix Really? Why is that?

[@mbajobue]

Love this movie.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Sidney Lumet also directed the masterpiece that is "Twelve Angry Men."

[@ukjinheo5068]

정말 좋은 영화였어ㅜㅜ

[@apenguinnamedabraham]

i wish i was martha plimpton but sadly i am only that kid in the background

[@susanaveronicafranco3012]

Hermosa pelicula 👏👏👏💕

[@victoriazmuda8228]

My fav scene ♥

[@Julia-Nunes-LeiDaAtracao]

Óhnnn 😢😊❤ Assisti esse filme quando era criança e essa cena ficou tão vívida na minha memória. Linda. Lindo filme. Linda canção.

[@ajalcorn]

@lamagamorgana Me too! It was my first time hearing the song and I fell in love with it. I used to have such a huge crush on River too when I was younger. hehe!