On the Run (1999 film)

On the Run
On the Run
Directed by	Bruno de Almeida
Written by	Joseph Minion
Story by	Bruno de Almeida; Jonathan Berman
Produced by	Bruno de Almeida; Tino Navarro
Starring	Michael Imperioli; John Ventimiglia; Drena De Niro; Nick Sandow; Sharon Angela
Cinematography	Igor Sunara
Edited by	Beatrice Sisul
Music by	Frank London
Production; companies	Arco Films; MGN Filmes; Sunday Films; RTP
Distributed by	Phaedra Cinema
Release dates	January 29, 1999 (Portugal); June 2, 2000 (United States);
Running time	92 minutes
Countries	United States; Portugal; France
Language	English

On the Run (Portuguese: Em Fuga)^[1] is a 1999 crime comedy film directed by Bruno de Almeida in his directorial debut. It stars Michael Imperioli and John Ventimiglia and is written by Joseph Minion, based on a story by de Almeida and Jonathan Berman.^[2]

The film premiered in Portugal in January 1999 and was given a limited theatrical release in the United States on June 2, 2000. It won the award for Best Film at the 1999 Ourense Film Festival in Spain and was nominated the Open Palm Award at the Gotham Awards. It had its cable debut on The Independent Film Channel in 2001 and was released on DVD in 2002.

The film is set in New York City. A lonely travel agent shelters his childhood friend who has escaped from prison.

Premise

Albert is an introverted travel agent living a lonely life in New York City. When Louie, his best friend from childhood, appears having just escaped from prison, Albert's quiet existence is permanently disrupted. What ensues is one long, crazy night in New York that will change both their lives forever.

Cast

Michael Imperioli as Albert de Santis
John Ventimiglia as Louis Salazer
Drena De Niro as Rita
Nick Sandow as Jack
Joaquim de Almeida as Ignácio
Victor Argo as Man shaving
Sharon Angela as Tina
John Frey as George
Anthony Zaccaro as Cop
Paul Lazar as Cabbie
Arthur Nascarella as Irwin
Joseph Gannascoli as Tony
Tom Gilroy as Tom
Anna Kohler as Anna
Agnês Jaoui as Kirstin
Suzanne Shepherd as Travel Agent
Bronson Dudley as Doctor Shapiro
Dwight Ewell as Rasta

Reception

Lisa Nesselson of Variety wrote, "Mostly inventive, and consistently well played, this mismatched-buddy film boasts ample laughs and awkward situations that are easy to identify with, wacky though they are."^[3] Writing in the New York Press, Matt Zoller Seitz said "the vibe is wonderfully fresh, and there isn't a dull or unpleasurable scene in the movie, thanks to De Almeida's ability to build spare but sustained comic setpieces and give the actors room to maneuver within them."^[4] He also praised the acting of the two male leads as well as the supporting cast.^[4] Portuguese publication Público similarly lauded the pairing of Imperioli and Ventimiglia and said they are given a "rare opportunity to shine as protagonists."^[5]

Awards

1999 Ourense Independent Film Festival, Grand Prize for Best Feature - winner
2000 Gotham Film Awards, Open Palm Award - nominated^[6]

Home media

On the Run was released on DVD by Pathfinder Home Ent. on August 27, 2002.^[7]

References

^ "Em Fuga". RTP.
^ Raskin, Richard (June 24, 1999). "On the Run: An interview with Bruno de Almeida". P.O.V. (9). Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ Nesselson, Lisa (April 28, 1999). "On the Run". Variety. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Seitz, Matt Zoller (October 3, 2000). "The Indie Spirit's Alive in On the Run". New York Press. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ Menezes, Vasco T. (June 24, 2004). "Pela Noite Dentro". Público (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on September 10, 2004. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ "Past Recipients | 2000". Gotham Awards. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ "On the Run [DVD]". Amazon. Retrieved January 31, 2023.