At Close Range

( 8 )

Overview

Amazingly, At Close Range was based on a true story. Bored teenager Sean Penn meets his prodigal father Christopher Walken for the first time in years. Though Penn is vaguely aware that his father is a criminal, he is nonetheless impressed by his dad's high life style and creature comforts. But Walken's veneer of charm is fragile indeed, and it becomes clear that he is willing to kill anyone--even his family--if they get in his way. When Walken rapes Penn's girl friend Mary Stuart Masterson to keep the boy from ...
See more details below
This DVD is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options

More About This Product

Overview

Amazingly, At Close Range was based on a true story. Bored teenager Sean Penn meets his prodigal father Christopher Walken for the first time in years. Though Penn is vaguely aware that his father is a criminal, he is nonetheless impressed by his dad's high life style and creature comforts. But Walken's veneer of charm is fragile indeed, and it becomes clear that he is willing to kill anyone--even his family--if they get in his way. When Walken rapes Penn's girl friend Mary Stuart Masterson to keep the boy from cooperating with the DA, it is only a warm-up for the horrors to come. The screenplay for At Close Range was written by Nicholas Kazan, the son of prominent film director Elia Kazan.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Karl Williams
A superbly written and acted film based loosely on real-life events, this intense crime drama is a major artistic success for all concerned, especially stars Christopher Walken and Sean Penn in two of their best roles, as well as screenwriter Nicholas Kazan and director James Foley. The latter's style might strike some viewers as too cool, remote, or austere, but this nearly documentary-like approach allows the cast room to stretch and improvise while slyly emphasizing the picture's similarity to the classic In Cold Blood (1967). However, the film is definitely not a docudrama, the director reminding viewers of the emotionally potent subtext with subtle, symbolic transitions in which such incongruous, attention-getting images as bound chicken talons or singing lips suddenly appear. His is the art of transcending the establishing shot by going for something a little more penetrating. Walken and Penn are marvels of nuance employed in the arts of linguistic inflection and the physicality of inhabiting a character with one's entire body, from the way they laugh to how they walk. (Just watch Penn as he shifts from a cocky swagger that emanates down from his shoulders, moving like nothing so much as a suit buoyed by a massive hanger, to a defeated, slump-shouldered shuffle by the finale). Kazan goes light on dialogue but what's there is charged with unspoken meaning, while visual cues and arresting images tell the story. All of this shows the mark of a great screenwriter enjoying a meeting of the minds with a director who gets it. At Close Range (1986) is one of the best examples of its genre from the 1980s.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 6/23/2011
  • UPC: 011891701099
  • Original Release: 1986
  • Source: Tgg Direct
  • Region Code: 1
  • Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo
  • Language: English
  • Time: 1:51:00
  • Format: DVD

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Sean Penn Brad Whitewood, Jr.
Christopher Walken Brad Whitewood, Sr.
Mary Stuart Masterson Terry
Chris Penn Tommy Whitewood
Millie Perkins Julie Whitewood
Candy Clark Mary Sue
Eileen Ryan Grandmother
Alan Autry Ernie
R.D. Call Dickie Whitewood
Tracey Walter Patch
J.C. Quinn Boyd
David Strathairn Tony Pine
Jake Dengel Lester
Crispin Glover Lucas
Kiefer Sutherland Tim
Noelle Parker Jill
Doug Anderson Marshall
Terry Baker Customer
Terri Coulter Barroom Dancer
E.R. Davies Detective Mosker
Janie Draper Stripper
Michael Edwards 1st Car Slaesman
Marshall Fallwell Jr. Bartender
James Foley Assistant District Attorney
Stephen Geoffreys Aggie
Gary Gober District Attorney
bonita Hall Buxom Woman
Paul Herman Salesman
Charles Tatoo Jensen Older Guy
Anna Levine Barroom Dancer
Bob McDivitt Farmer with Shotgun
Myke R. Mueller 2nd Car Salesman
Nancy Sherburne Waitress
Technical Credits
James Foley Director
Richard Arrington Makeup
Risa Bramon Casting
Adams Calvert Special Effects
Burt Dalton Special Effects
John Daly Executive Producer
Derek Gibson Executive Producer
Don Guest Producer
Billy Hopkins Casting
Peter Jamison Production Designer
Nicholas Kazan Original Story, Screenwriter
Patrick Leonard Score Composer, Songwriter
Elliott Lewitt Original Story, Producer
Mark Ragland Set Decoration/Design
Hilary M. Rosenfeld Costumes/Costume Designer
Juan Ruiz-Anchia Cinematographer
Howard E. Smith Editor
Chuck Waters Stunts
R. Chris Westlund Set Decoration/Design
Read More Show Less

Menu

Disc #1 -- At Close Range
   At Close Range
      Play
   Colors
      Play
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 8 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(6)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews

  • Posted February 7, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    Shanghai Surprise

    Sean Peen was so hot in At Close Range.

    wow he looked amazing in this film. the movie was really good and i liked the Madonna song Live To Tell . this movie was based on a true story wow! amazing is what i have to say. Sean Peem is the best so was Mary Stuart Matreson as his girlfriend. At Close Range a good thriller no a great thriller.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Excellent in all aspects

    This is a tremendous movie! Excellent acting all around -- one of my favorite parts for Christopher Walken -- his portrayal is chilling. Sean and Chris Penn are both fantastic, though I actually think Chris had the edge and really captured the younger, less cared-for brother. Mary Stuart Masterson is wonderful. There is nothing negative I can say about this film, except the fact that these tragic events really happened. I saw it in the theatre when it came out, have watched it many times since, and it never fails to move me -- something new will strike at my heart each time -- last time it was the inward fight Sean Penn's character had with himself over the loyalty his father expected from his sons. Just top-notch! James Foley's direction is subtley perfect.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Good

    This is not a great movie, but it is real life evil at its best (or worst.) The acting in it is tremendous, with Walken playing the real-life character of Bruce Johnson-an organized crime from a hillbilly family in Pennsylvania. Sean Pean does a great portrayal as a son basking in the light of his father's easy life.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A pure Gem

    "At Close Range" is one of those rare films that's perfect. The acting by Sean Penn and Christopher Walken Is truly magnificent. Director James Foley does an excellent in pacing and drawing great performances from his cast. Also Maddonna's title song is used to great effect. A masterpiece.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Must See!

    At Close Range is a great movie. One of Sean Penn's best performances. Its one of those movies you just can't forget.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Walken's Finest Film

    Top-notch acting all the way around in this fictionalized account of robbery, rape, and murder in a small Pennsylvania town. Filmed in Franklin, Tennessee, Christopher Walken's performance is nothing short of amazing. Sean Penn's no slouch either and the supporting cast (including Keifer Sutherland) is amazing.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Interested in actual story

    I am interested in the actual story. Could you point in the right direction so I can read about it? Thanks

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Accurate to the True Story

    I live not far from where this story actually took place in Pennsylvania. My father actually knew the members of the gang and his girlfriend was actually one of the persons killed by the gang. This story really hits close to home for me and I believe it was acurately portrayed. Many people that watch this movie don't know the actual story and knowing the true story made the movie even better. The city at the beginning is supposed to be Oxford, PA. I don't live too far from there and it looks similar to the actual town. I think this movie is great and it is a joy to watch.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 8 Customer Reviews