MovieChat Forums > Running on Empty (1988) Discussion > Judd Hirsch a monstrosity (spoilers)

Judd Hirsch a monstrosity (spoilers)

posted 9 years ago by best_of
9 replies | jump to latest

As the patriarch of the brood on the run, Judd Hirsch was a monstrosity. He kept talking about how the 'unit has to stay together.' But he had no regard for what he was doing to his kids. He was a totally selfish prick. At one point he asks River Phoenix if he is sleeping with Martha Plimpton, and the boy tells him that he is. Well, what kind of question is that to put to his son? Hirsch was a jealous manipulating, controlling scum-bag wanting everyone else to pay for his crimes. At the end, River Phoenix is dumped on the side of the road, the same way the dog was dumped at the beginning of the picture, meaning, to me, that Hirsch has no more regard for the kid than he does for a trash bag full of garbage. However, we feel that River is far better off away from that prick, and should be able to pursue his future, one way or the other.

[–] tristanp25 9 years ago

Superb interpretation. I'm glad Danny got to fulfill his potential with his gifts and the selfish prick father Arthur didn't get to shatter his future, one controlling step at a time. And Annie is ridiculous to have allowed him to drag her into such a pithole in the first place. Also poor Harry will have to endure furthermore. Quite unfortunate.

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

I agree with you about the character of Judd Hirsch's character. However, leaving Danny behind is the best they could do for him.

At this point he is not yet eighteen years old; he is still a minor. He is not guilty of anything. Once he turns eighteen and continues to accompany them, he becomes an accomplice after the fact. It is time for him to go on his own.

Frankly, I think they should have turned the children over to foster agencies by dropping them off near a police station as soon as they were each old enough, say about five. Clearly they were born after they went on the road. Obviously, they should also have practiced birth control, or practiced it better.

Both of the adults are selfish, self-involved, hippie douche bags. What else does one expect from terrorists.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] ccr1633 8 years ago

dannieboy20906 wrote:

Frankly, I think they should have turned the children over to foster agencies by dropping them off near a police station as soon as they were each old enough, say about five.

Wow. What a completely idiotic viewpoint. As if foster agencies are renown for producing well adjusted adults. It's obvious to anyone without a political axe to grind that the kids turned out just fine. In fact, I'd say they were probably more thoughtful, clued in about the world, intelligent, and polite than 99.9% of the rest of the country, including adults. And you think they would've been better off subjected to the vicissitudes of foster care? Get a clue.

[–] dannieboy20906 8 years ago

Yes, it works that way in the fantasy setting of a movie. After all, who could we trust better to raise children, but a couple of aging hippie douche bags on the lam for terrorist activities.

At least the father did a good thing by leaving the older son behind in the end.

The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank.

[–] qdude440 8 years ago

River Phoenix's character turning out "just fine" is strictly a matter of interpretation. Yes, he's a bright and well-mannered kid, but clearly he is deeply emotionally conflicted and unhappy with his situation throughout the story and understandably has a difficult time adjusting to his surroundings. Willfully putting your own kids through that kind of emotional torture for the sake of cowardly running from the consequences of your own actions seems about as selfish as it gets.

[–] ccr1633 8 years ago

best_of wrote:

Hirsch was a jealous manipulating, controlling scum-bag wanting everyone else to pay for his crimes.

Nope, he just wanted to see his children grow up and teach them right from wrong. And if you bothered to watch this film, you'd know that he taught his kids that his actions during his days of violent political activism was *wrong*. Ultimately, the kids suffered from all the moving around, but they had two loving parents singularly devoted to them, parents who ensured they were well educated. That's more than can be said about most slobs out there masquerading as parents, if they even bother sticking around.

[–] best_of 8 years ago

Clearing the movie is beyond your grasp. On the Blu Ray director and cast comments, Sidney !umet and Judd Hirsch explain how they wanted to present the character of the father, as a monsterous man, more concerned with his selfish politics then his family well being. Until you realize what is happening with this movie you need to stay off of these boards. Got it?

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] best_of 8 years ago

Typical racist, bigoted, T-Bagger rant. Still shoving people in wheel chairs down the steps are you?