ereinion This is one of Sydney Lumet's few melodramatic movies, without a socio-political edge. And it's also one of his best and most emotional ones. He succeeds in capturing our attention fully with this tale of love, sacrifice and quest for redemption.River Phoenix got his (sadly) only Oscar nomination for his part of the elder son of parents who were once political activists (played by the equally wonderful Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti) who are now constantly on the run from the law after taking part in a political bombing. They are forced to change their identity and even appearance to an extent, quite often, so that the FBI wouldn't pick up their trail. Phoenix's Danny Pope is a classical pianist prodigy who is unable to really build on that talent because of his family's unstable life. To make matters more complicated, he falls for the daughter of a rich man called Lorna (played by the capable Martha Plimpton) and she returns his affections. In the meanwhile, his mother tries to convince her rather wealthy parents to take Danny into their safe and stable home and give him an opportunity to become a concert pianist.It is a very emotional and melodramatic movie, but without Lumet at the helm, I think it would likely dissolve into just another sappy and boring love movie and the dramatic content would be neglected or pushed in the background where it would do no good. This way, both Hirsch and Lahti and Phoenix get their shining moments. Had the parents and their plight been pushed in the background as so often happens in teenager love-themed movies, then this movie wouldn't be as good. This way, it's a clear gem and an unforgettable movie for the sentimental souls among us. Even the less-sentimental will find something to enjoy here and be inspired by Danny's struggle to find happiness and his parents' struggle to provide this happiness for him and their other son. 9/10

preppy-3 In 1971 anti-war activists Annie (Christine Lahti) and Arthur (Judd Hirsch) Pope blow up a factory making napalm seriously hurting a janitor who wasn't supposed to be there. 17 years later they're on the run with two sons--17 year old Danny (River Phoenix) and 10 year old Harry (Jones Abry). At the place they're living Danny meets and falls in love with a wonderful girl (Martha Plimpton) and finds out he has enough talent to be accepted to Juilliard--but his father won't let him go.A quiet yet very moving movie. It doesn't judge its characters--it lets the audience make their own decisions. On one hand I felt sorry for all four of them--on the other I felt the parents should just turn themselves in and let the kids have a normal life. It's slow and a little drawn out but I was never bored. The acting was all superb--except for one person. Hirsch was TERRIBLE as the father. Very wooden and completely unbelievable. Plimpton was good as Phoenix's love interest and Lahti was excellent as his mother. Best of all was Phoenix. He was Oscar-nominated for this role and he's superb in every scene he's in. When he's on screen you can't stop watching him. Superb, quiet and very moving. Have plenty of tissues on hand:) For some reason the song "Running on Empty" is never heard--I'm assuming they couldn't afford the rights.

susannetownsend I was genuinely surprised by how hollow this film was. I was familiar with most of the actors and expected great performances, yet, (apparently) unlike so many other reviewers here, I was never able to believe the characters long enough to immerse myself in the film. There seemed to be a lack of character development on-screen, which led to several points of disconnect that ripped me right out of the plot each time.There were some decent scenes, like the restaurant scene between father and daughter, and overall I can't complain about the performances of either Lahti or Hirsch. But there were way too many other scenes that had me wondering why the actors chose to portray the characters as lacking any genuine feeling. River Phoenix, who was otherwise an impressive young actor, really fell flat for me several times in this way. I was never convinced that he even remotely cared for Plimpton's character. Worse, Plimpton went from sulky and distracted to histrionic so quickly, it had me wondering if the scenes that were supposed to show the evolution of her romantic feelings had accidentally been left on the cutting room floor. I mean, I know teenagers are supposed to be sullen and flighty, but I'm pretty sure most of them warm up a bit before they declare their undying "need" for the other person (amid sobs) while they are being dumped. Character progression for both Phoenix and Plimpton was stilted, to say the least.I can't imagine what was going on here with these otherwise fine actors, so I can only assume the direction failed them. That, and a plot with gaps too big to ask the viewers' imaginations to fill. For example, what were we expected to believe about the thought process behind Hirsch's character's sudden decision to set his son free? The death of Gus (heard on the radio) seemed hardly relevant. If it was supposed to be relevant, it was less than profound.One more thing that was distracting was that, while the piano playing was decent for someone who played as a hobby, it was nowhere near the level required for entry into Julliard. The violinist who auditioned right before "Danny" was clearly in a different league, and it was hard to believe the adjudicators would not have been jarred by the difference. Authenticity should matter in a film, but this director was asleep at the wheel.I am usually a huge fan of slow-paced films, but I just wanted this one to be over. Has visual storytelling come so far in the last 27 years that even mediocre TV dramas outclass this performance? Very disappointing.

Ziglet_mir What a gem! First off, yes... what a deserved Oscar nod for River Pheonix! But may I add, where were the Oscar nods for Charlotte Lahti and Judd Hirsch?Overall this film, directed beautifully by Sidney Lumet, catches the emotions off guard. We are taken into the life of the Popes on the run from the FBI. But as we watch the so odd routine they call their lives, we also get involved of what is to become of them. Will Danny and Harry have to live running from something they never did for the rest of their lives? We hope not.We see River's shy, and polite character fall in love and audition for the renowned school of Juilliard in an attempt to break away from the mold. He struggles coming to terms with the fact he is a liar and has only hidden from things his entire life. Some scenes may have you in tears (specifically Annie's scene with her father, and the ending scene with the family).Anyway, just sit back and give this film a shot. You may be very surprised at what you see.