Chad Perman and I recently had an in-depth discussion about Sidney Lumet’s Running on Empty (an all-time favorite of mine, perpetually hovering around the ever-shifting Top 5) for the new issue of Bright Wall Dark Room (the theme of the issue is Identity.)
Our conversation is behind a subscription wall at Bright Wall Dark Room but I know some of you out there are subscribers (and subscription is very cheap, FYI), so here’s a link:
“Why Do You Have to Carry the Burden of Someone Else’s Life?”
I really enjoyed the conversation. I need to re-watch this soon.
It had been years since I’d seen it. Was very happy to re-visit it. The same moments get me every time.
Just wanted to say I was finally able to renew my subscription to BWDR and read your conversation which was lovely and moving and insightful (especially in the context of Steven Hill’s passing). I couldn’t watch this movie again for twenty years after I first saw it because I didn’t want to re-live that scene with Hill and Christine Lahti. I finally did and I think I’m at peace with it now but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to watch it without my guard up!…Streetcar and The Miracle Worker I can displace to some degree and keep at arm’s length. Not this one.
Yes, I was so sad to hear of Steven Hill’s passing. He was great on Law & Order – sure – but his scene with Lahti is some of the best acting I have seen …. ever. Like: EVER. That final moment when she gets up to leave, what happens to him.
It’s so intense.
Thanks so much for reading, NJ!