In "Running on Empty" (1988), the Pope family lives a life shrouded in secrecy and constant flight. Years ago, in a bold act of defiance against the Vietnam War, the parents ignited a weapons lab, sparking a fire that changed their lives forever. Now, they’re fugitives, perpetually evading the authorities and struggling to maintain their identity while raising their two sons on the run. However, their fragile existence is thrown into turmoil when their eldest son, Danny, falls deeply in love with a spirited girl named Lorna. Inspired by his feelings for her, Danny begins to question the family's nomadic lifestyle and yearns for independence and a sense of normalcy. As he grapples with the desire to forge his own path, the family’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel. "Running on Empty" is a poignant exploration of love, sacrifice, and the quest for identity in a world that demands secrecy. Will Danny choose love and freedom, or remain shackled to the past his family has fought to escape?