At Close Range

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At Close Range

R

Released Apr 18, 1986

1h 51m

Crime

Drama

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Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Based on a true story, "At Close Range" follows the lives of the Whitewood family in rural Pennsylvania. Brothers Brad Jr. (Sean Penn) and Tommy (Chris Penn) are the sons of organized crime leader Brad Sr. (Christopher Walken), who draws his sons into his life of crime. After starting their own gang, Brad Jr. and Tommy are arrested in a failed robbery attempt, and are forced to face the truth: that their father will do anything to avoid being arrested for his crimes.

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Empire Magazine

Engaging performances by Penn and Walken can't quite turn this brutal curio into something more substantial.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 29, 2012

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Variety Staff

Variety

General audiences will respond to the very strong performances of the two leads, especially Walken in one of his best roles.

Aug 13, 2008

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Geoff Andrew

Time Out

Less than intoxicating.

Jun 24, 2006

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Sean Burns

Crooked Marquee

Foley’s making a Greek tragedy, and he’s enlisted some acting gods.

Jul 26, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Director James Foley and screenwriter Nicholas Kazan expertly recreate that part of America that feels like it should exist under a rock with the clammy mud and scurrying insects, and their efforts are supported by an intense performance from Walken.

Rated: 3/4

Feb 9, 2023

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A grim true story thriller that never relents in its violence.

Rated: B

Mar 21, 2015

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Mike P

Devastating true-crime drama about the Whitewood family; based on Bruce Johnston Senior; who decimated his own family in the 60s and 70s, and who terrorized the rural Pennsylvania area for many years... Until his own son fingered him in court, to end his reign of terror...Brilliant performances from Sean Penn and Christopher Walken; and the direction is just searingly intense. Recommended

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

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Audience Member

Like father, like son....like hell Based on a true story starring Sean Penn and Christopher Walken. The Whitewood family live in rural Pennsylvania. Brothers Brad Jr. and Tommy are the sons of organized crime leader Brad Sr. He draws his sons into his life of crime. Brad falls in love but is desperate to gain his own father's approval. After starting their own gang, Brad Jr. and Tommy are arrested in a failed robbery attempt, and are forced to face the truth: that their father will do anything to avoid being arrested for his crimes. Brad Sr.'s hardly father of the year. So he gets worried brining in his son along with others might jeopardize his good nature. Penn and Walken have palpable chemistry. The movie is just too long and I didn't find the conversations very interesting.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

04/19/24

Full Review

B F

Devastatingly underrated film. One of my absolute, all-time favorites.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/05/23

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jelisije j

One of the most shocking darkest characters Christopher Walken has ever portrayed and probably one of the most evilest characters in movie history.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

michael d

One of my favorite all-time movies. Great cast and actors based on real-life characters. Check out the real story to appreciate the movie more. Gene Siskel did not like it. Great film in my mind.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/22

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cpt b

Based on the Johnston gang, this movie captures the shady dark side of the 70's Pennsylvania nar do wells. I knew people like that when younger and these actors took me back to those times. Sean Penn stars as Brad Jr,the son of a divorced mother who works at the local plant. Christopher Walken plays his father Brad Sr, a man whose intelligence is used to liberate tractors and safes from their owners. Brad Sr comes back into his sons life and introduces him to serious crime. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that I think there was important film left on the cutting floor.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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James Foley

Director

Sean Penn

Brad Whitewood Jr.

Christopher Walken

Brad Whitewood Sr.

Mary Stuart Masterson

Terry

Chris Penn

Tommy Whitewood

Millie Perkins

Julie

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Synopsis

Based on a true story, "At Close Range" follows the lives of the Whitewood family in rural Pennsylvania. Brothers Brad Jr. (Sean Penn) and Tommy (Chris Penn) are the sons of organized crime leader Brad Sr. (Christopher Walken), who draws his sons into his life of crime. After starting their own gang, Brad Jr. and Tommy are arrested in a failed robbery attempt, and are forced to face the truth: that their father will do anything to avoid being arrested for his crimes.

Director: James Foley
Producer: Don Guest, Elliott Lewitt
Screenwriter: Elliott Lewitt, Nicholas Kazan, Nicholas Kazan
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Vestron Video, Orion Pictures
Production Co: Hemdale Film Corporation [us]
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 1986, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $560.7K
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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