On the Run

I caught this movie on IMC the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Overflowing with NYC atmosphere and charm, the two leads will hold your interest throughout. Louie(John Ventimiglia) is the epitome of a man who lives only for the moment. He has absolutely no self-control. Two weeks before he's scheduled to be released from prison after a five year term, he breaks out. And he heads straight for his old pal Albert (Michael Imperioli), the kid who always took the fall for Louie back in their schooldays. Albert is a milquetoast travel agent living like a loser. At first Albert wants nothing to do with Louie. But being the kindhearted slob that he is (and maybe knowing that Louie could easily provide a little excitement in his drab existence), Albert allows Louie to take him on a wild one day ride through Manhattan which becomes at turns exhilarating, frightening, pathetic and hilarious. This movie and the characters grow on you as it goes along. The direction is first rate and the acting is top notch, especially the two leads. Ventimiglia strikes all the right chords as Louie. You should hate this guy but somehow you can't. And Imperioli is equally impressive in a very quiet, understated performance. Although the ending left a bit to be desired I would still highly recommend this film.

This nice little film about some nice & not so nice new Yorkers has been done many times before.In different guises we have 2 different people who are best friends & they get into many little adventures.

This film is not a bad film by any means & if you watch it, you might have a pleasant 90 minutes; The 2 leads who have been in many films together & in THE SOPRANOS work well together.Production values are on a par for this type of film.

Rating **1/2

I caught "On the Run" at the Screening Room in New York and was immediately seduced by its true independent spirit. Starring Michael Imperioli and John Ventimiglia from The Sopranos cast, "On the Run" sets us up in a 24-hour wild ride in the city that never sleeps, as we follow the meanderings of an introspective sales agent who is suddenly dragged by his long-gone school companion, just out of jail. In fact he has escaped from it and is "on the run" looking for some action and a glimpse of life amidst the great metropolis. Powered by great performances, this movie gives us back the old feeling of 70's pics, with both characters rediscovering themselves as they blaze across town bumping into wild events and locals. An elegy to a certain side of New York that seems to be disappearing, "On the Run" displays great sensitivity and humour. I predict it to be a cult classic that urges to be discovered: future viewers should definitely surrender to this nocturnal trip.

Just watched this movie over the weekend, and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The 2 Italo American actors are excellent as usual (Michael Imperioli and John Ventimiglia). It is obvious that the director was influenced by 2 great films of the past directed by Italians. Primarily he was influenced by Dino Risi and his film IL SORPASSO. It is the story of 2 young men who meet by chance and become friends. One is extroverted and the other is introverted. They enjoy the whole day together and by the end of the day, the shy one learns that there is more to life than his usual routine monotony. The same thing happens to Albert De Santi. Unfortunately, IL SORPASSO has a very similar ending and this apparently influenced the director of ON THE RUN because he uses the same technique but with a twist. I had expected something but was surprised to see that it turned out to be the opposite. If you watch both movies you will understand. The other film that influenced the director is AFTER HOURS directed by the great Italian American Scorsese. I highly recommend all 3 movies !!

Don't let the rating of 5.9 (as of this writing on 12-8-02) fool you, this is one excellent film.

I cannot fathom how this got such a rating considering being so solid at all levels. The direction, acting, cinematography--all good. The story is interesting and original and my only inkling as far as understanding why the rating is such, sits in the fact that it is probably the type of movie that people rating might not normally see.

I equate it to playing modern rock for an 80 year old. You might be young, brought up on it and love it, but he or she has not been and as a product of a different time and taste--doesn't care for it.

If you like films and can handle movies based more on real people versus those comprised of mindless action, enormous flashy budgets and mediocre talent, give this one a try next time you see it on...