Running on Empty
Running on Empty
R | 05 August 1982 (USA)
Running on Empty Trailers

Mike loves his fast cars and his hot women. When he fancies the girlfriend of the local street racing king, Fox, he gets way in over his head in racing for his girl, his money and his life. Through racing, sex, nightclubs and small road trips the film depicts what it was like to be a teenager in Australia in the 1980's.

Reviews
Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much
BlazeLime Strong and Moving!
MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant
Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
videorama-759-859391 Here's a movie that lives cool, and may'be that was never the intention. As just having watched it again, it brings me back to 82, and it's scene and culture back then. What I refer to as the good old days. Most of the film seems to be in Sydney if I'm not mistaken. Simply the stories about a young good looking guy, Mike, who needs to do something for himself, and be good at something. His want happens to be outrunning the local racing junkie thug, Fox (Moir) kind of a little old for the part, but great in the role, where cool rebel and defiant Mike played by (Serio) is only average, even if a little under par, where they're are moments when his acting grabs you, by not many. His expressions and that are limited, almost void. Standout performances are of course, a blind old rocker/racing nut, Reggie, played by veteran (Cullen) who steals the film like he does with many others. He's a character full of wisdom and inspiration, who helps Mike revamp and old car with the works. No sooner does this car become totaled. The love interest, Jules, (Deborah Convoy) is quite good, where we see her bare in a couple of scenes. The shiner she took from being run into the fridge, was a bit exaggerated. One visually tense scene, when first viewing it back in 84, I couldn't believe, was Mike's car set aflames, in an ambush, where him, Jules and his Greek mate, escape, frantically driving the burning and speeding wreck, into a lake. Graham Bond, the real movie stealer, sadly only has a couple of scenes, as a bad guy cop, a real cowboy, reveling in his part. He wants Fox's action, Fox wincing, like a real wuzz, under his control. The charismatic Gerry Sont, as Mike's younger neighbour, Victor creates a spirited and enthused, take note performance, his inspirational role model, just happening to be Mike. Awesome haunting soundtrack. With some real funny moments, this enthusiastic Ozzie popcorn pic, is an oldie, with cult status, car freaks will like or the young crowd. But time passes quick in this pic. Be warned.
mattevanspenguin The movie has started, the wheels spin, your car has entered a race against the Fox.... You're behind you can't get in front, you figure, "if i go out, i'm taking you with me..." You smash into the cars parked on the side of the road, you turn to hit Fox but your aim is bad.... Bang, you've gone up the back of a VW, and smash you've landed in a reservoir. Your car lights on fire. You could get out if you wanted, but the shame of losing has taken you... BANG! Your car blows up, everyone looks on in despair, some crying... The sound of a siren tells you the cops are coming. Everyone gets in their cars and bolts, leaving you to burn. The charred remains of the cars frame sits there, haunting the on lookers... You're dead.This is one of the scenes; actually its the first scene in the movie. There are many more like it. As you enter the cockpit of the Fox in his pimped out V8 ford, Terry Serio in his crazy GTHO, and many others in this blast from the past.... JOHN CLARKS masterpiece, "RUNNING ON EMPTY" "-He'll win at any cost-"
m3ch This is a great,but not widely known movie here in the states. It has some excellent cars,especially the blown 57 chevy.Times when Nitrous was not widely known and just becoming popular.some pretty decent racing,but a little corny. This movie is know here in the states as "Fastlane Fever" also!enjoy!
eduardoalive I love australia, but this movie was so ordinary it was almost funny. Bad acting,(especially the wog dude that tries so hard to be funny), bad directing (it looks like it was filmed with a camcorder) and the ending is ridiculous....this movie sucks.