Running on Empty

Character mistake: Mr. Phillips is supposed to be a sophisticated and proper music teacher, but his behavior during Michael's first class seemed out of character. He didn't say anything when two students got up and danced in the front of the classroom. He told Michael that "everybody who takes music is required to play in the orchestra", but after hearing Michael play piano, Mr. Phillips (unauthorized) told him he didn't have to play in the orchestra." Also, he told Michael, "get out of here" - not professional. (00:21:43 - 00:26:42)

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Character mistake: Mr. Phillips told Michael (Danny) that he'd like him to apply for "early admission" to Julliard. Michael was a 17-year-old high school senior and had not yet auditioned for Julliard - the audition is to occur when a student his age is "entering 12th grade in the Fall of the academic year for which he is applying." It was too late to submit an application and an "early admission" was not possible at this point. (01:08:42)

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Other mistake: Mr. Phillips told Michael (Danny) that he'd like to hear him play on his "Steinway at home", but didn't say when or give Michael his address, but Michael was able to ride his bike to the Phillips' house. Michael was in this new school (and State) for only one day, so it seems unlikely that he'd know where Mr. Phillips lived. (00:26:33)

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More mistakes in Running on Empty

Lorna: You are certifiable! What is this? Some sort of smart-ass joke? You're taking cooking?
Michael: I want to learn how to cook.
Lorna: Yeah, right. You have some burning desire to learn how to make apple brown betty.
Michael: What are you doing here if you think so highly of it?
Lorna: Well, they wouldn't let me take auto mechanics, and I didn't have time to take the issue to the Supreme Court.

More quotes from Running on Empty

Trivia: Martha and River were already "girlfriend/ boyfriend" since co-starring in "Mosquito Coast" (1986). After "Running On Empty" (1988), their relationship ended in 1989 because Martha did not like River's use of drugs.

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More trivia for Running on Empty

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