Review of “Running on Empty” | Bizarre, death-centered romantic comedy loses its meaning

If someone could tell you with certainty when exactly you would die and you could not change fate, would you want to know? It is an old hypothesis that has certainly sparked some interesting conversations over the years and has formed the narrative backbone of numerous films in one way or another, be it Cléo from 5 to 7 To Eternity and a dayWe can add Running on reserve (2024) to that list, and while it’s nowhere near as good or important as those older masterpieces, this newer film’s star-studded cast holds its own and lays a promising foundation right from the start.

Writer-director Daniel André’s relentlessly quirky romantic comedy throws a lot at the proverbial wall of cinematic cliches, some of which stick and some of which fall dead. But it’s a brave, quirky attempt indeed, and one that’s always laudable in this day and age.

Sitting on empty wishes Keir Gilchrist an unfortunate day of death

Running on reserve

2.5/5

Keir Gilchrist, Lucy Hale, Francesca Eastwood and comedy legend Jim Gaffigan star in a brilliant, quirky romantic comedy about celebrating life and living it to the fullest. Mortimer is a strange but clever young man living a lukewarm life in California’s San Fernando Valley until he receives life-changing news. Determined to make the most of every day, Mort embarks on a spirited quest to find meaning in life and finds the girl of his dreams along the way.

Release date

9 August 2024

director

Daniel Andre

Duration

1 hour 31 minutes

Authors

Daniel Andre

Sales Partner

Lionsgate

Per

• It’s lovely to see a group of very talented actors working together. Lucy Hale is excellent; Francesca Eastwood and Rhys Coiro are delightful.
• The premise, the final direction and themes are interesting and admirable.

Disadvantages

• The film seems scattered and unclear about where it wants to go and what it wants to do.
• Keir Gilchrist is given a flat, awkward character who is unconvincing. The best direction in the film comes in the last 20 minutes.

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To return briefly to the “Here is when you will die” cliché: This subgenre also includes the dramedy 50/50 (2011), in which the lead actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt falls out with his girlfriend while receiving a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, which leads to a permanent separation. Running on reserveA similar breakup occurs after a millennial undertaker named Mort (Keir Gilchrist) tries to buy a house with the love of his life, Nicole (Francesca Eastwood). To do this, they must pass a futuristic test that determines their literal future date of death – for insurance reasons, of course.And when it turns out that Mort’s death is less than a year away, Nicole abandons the ship with the dreaded thought of ending up in a similarly chaotic breakup as 50/50. Ouch.

Related: Films with important messages about death

If you hadn’t guessed, it’s clear that Lionsgate’s new offering – with a title that falsely suggests a film about automobiles, a remake of the River Phoenix film, or a Jackson Browne documentary – borrows from and/or pays tribute to successful comedy-dramas of the past in order to retain its own pizzazz. Some of it works, such as the supporting roles of acclaimed character actors like Rhys Coiro (entourage). Here he’s a wannabe gangster and pimp named Simon, who turns our hero’s life upside down when Mort’s “post-ex” life eventually turns to strip clubs and sex workers.

And on that note, in a kind of comic neo-noir fashion, the only sex worker he likes is, by a miraculous coincidence, about to die herself shortly after meeting Mort. This sends him into a chaotic spiral through California’s San Fernando Valley, on the run from the deceased’s employers, who want Mort to pay for what they believe he did to her. Mort seeks existential guidance from his somewhat loving Uncle Barry (a reliably funny Jim Gaffigan) and bombastic buddy Sid (Jay Pharoah: Achieved a lot despite limited screen time), but ultimately turns to a professional dating agency to find true love in the few days he has left.

Related

The funniest comedies about death, ranking

Death is a difficult confrontation, but funny comedies like the following films help us deal with and discuss the subject in a light-hearted way.

Lucy Hale and Francesca Eastwood deserved better

Ironically, it is the person who actually runs this dating service, a smart and down-to-earth soul named Kate (Lucy Hale), that Mort finds himself attracted to. The fact that this happens so damn late in the film is extremely odd and disappointing. We last spoke to Hale when another unconventional romantic film of hers came out, What brings me to youwhich gave the talented young star a more substantial role. Hale still dominates the screen and reminds us that Running on reserve ultimately attempts to be a celebration of life in the midst of constant uncertainty (or in this case, ironic certainty, given the date of death component). It’s a shame that this branding gets so messed up over time.

Related: The best dark comedies of all time

Gilchrist, on the other hand, feels strangely restricted all the time (apart from a few scenes where the acting is just over the top). He looks just as confused as most viewers probably will while scratching their heads at certain plot developments that end up going nowhere. It seems like some scenes, like the random return of Nicole, are just set up for a comedic punch and then move on without sequel. The comedy does not serve the narrative.

The British-Canadian Gilchrist is undoubtedly talented and has shown his skills in the successful Netflix series Atypical as well as acclaimed films such as It follows. He plays the confused stiff solidly enough here, but it often leaves us expecting more from the versatile actor. He actually brings at least some heart and comedic timing, but Running on reserve seems to be plagued by an unspoken resignation that this uneven ensemble has become a little disorganized. From Lionsgate, Running on reserve is now in cinemas.