Rating: 
Summary: The Truer Story...
Review: "At Close Range" is a film that, at the gut level, pursues its audience long after viewing. The brilliant manifestation of acting genius by Penn and Walken is only matched by the haunting realization of this "true story." Undoubtedly, that old saying that true-life is more compelling than fiction takes hold in this case. In all, "At Close Range" digs at the heart of its audience and, with as much attention to sincerity as Hollywood allows, surpasses the disconnect of reality and nightmare. (Something as equally interesting; Mary Stuart Masterson's character in the film was included on behalf of her real-life model Robin Miller--my aunt. The company producing the film was denied permission by my grandmother to use Robin's name, so Hollywood did what it does best--they changed names, capitalized on someone else's tragedy, and denied royalties to the victim's family. I would say, too, that there are only a handful of us who actually know the truer story behind this film, and it is viciously haunting.)
Rating:
Summary: The Truer Story...
Review: "At Close Range" is a film that, at the gut level, pursues its audience long after viewing. The brilliant manifestation of acting genius by Penn and Walken is only matched by the haunting realization of this "true story." Undoubtedly, that old saying that true-life is more compelling than fiction takes hold in this case. In all, "At Close Range" digs at the heart of its audience and, with as much attention to sincerity as Hollywood allows, surpasses the disconnect of reality and nightmare. (Something as equally interesting; Mary Stuart Masterson's character in the film was included on behalf of her real-life model Robin Miller--my aunt. The company producing the film was denied permission by my grandmother to use Robin's name, so Hollywood did what it does best--they changed names, capitalized on someone else's tragedy, and denied royalties to the victim's family. I would say, too, that there are only a handful of us who actually know the truer story behind this film, and it is viciously haunting.)
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: 'Highly recommended' doesn't do justice to this rare find. James Foley's, 'At Close Range,' is cinema par excellence. Reworking the sordid tragedy of the Whitewood crime clan, this is the kind of film that stays with you long after it's over. With its superb acting, artistic camera work and exceptionally life-like dialogue, 'At Close Range' truly deserves a place among, as one reviewer put it correctly, the ranks of the 'unknown gems.'
Although based on a true story, the film avoids all preaching and teaching. Instead, it is a tragic story, brilliantly told. Nothing more. At the center, you have a broken family, an absent father and a son hungering for a role model. While Brad Whitewood Jr. (Sean Penn) cruises and boozes through the inertia of small-town dreardom, Dad (Christopher Walken) jumps in and out of his life. All the while, Brad Jr. slowly learns more about the father he never really had. Following pa through a maze of petty theft, Brad hopes to 'earn' his father's respect and 'love.' But Brad Sr. is bereft of both and merely wants to initiate his son into the 'family,' a freaky collection of hillbilly thiefs and killers. Committing a minor robbery, Jr. passes Dad's tests (stealing and getting shot at) and soon becomes part of the gang. Yet, the deeper he goes in, Brad Jr. begins to see his father for who he really is, malicious and empty. Jr. must choose between following his father or following his own conscience. Choosing the latter, he must face a stand off with Sr. and prove whether son and father are truly one.
A gripping story, but without the genius of both Penn and Walken, 'At Close Range' would have long since died out. Both actors give something to their performances that puts this film over the top. Penn can show vulnerability like no other and plays Brad Jr. with just the right combination of awh-shucks naivety and muscle car bravado. His performance here is one of his best ever, but it is Walken (like always!) who steals the show. His Brad Sr. oozes malevolence. Foley does justice to his character with the tons of close-ups where Walken paralyzes you with his icy glare.
Not only is the film brilliantly acted, but brilliantly shot as well. The Tennessee countryside gives the perfect backdrop to this chapter in American crime. The verdant, pastoral feel of the background provides a sharp, thought-provoking contrast to the barren malice of Walken's character.
While the ending gives a closure of sorts, it is neither shiny nor happy, but rather portrays an all too common reality in many a family. Parent against child, child against parent. If you are looking for an uplifting experience, best to avoid this film. If, on the other hand, brilliant acting is your bag and you don't mind staring down the throat of reality, then take a 'closer' look at this gem.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie from 1986.
Review: 1986 had so many good movies. The Hitcher, Top Gun, Aliens, Stand By me, Platoon,and then there was At Close Range. This movie had a good story line and Sean Penn gave his best performance ever. This will always be a classic from the 80's.
Rating:
Summary: I have a tale to tell...
Review: At Close Range is a dark but outstandingly beautiful movie starring Sean Penn (I Am Sam) and Christopher Walken (The Deer Hunter) and directed by James Foley (Glengarry Glen Ross). Based on a true story of the Johnston family crimes. The name was changed for dramatic purposes to Whitewood. Sean Penn plays young Brad Jr who is lured by Brad Sr, played remarkably by Walken, into his gang of thieves. When Brad Jr finds out that the gang does more than just steal, but also murder, he decides to walk out leading the movie to the very frightful and haunting events that followed. The movie was nominated only for a Berlin International Film Festival award. Why it was not nominated for any Golden Globes or Oscars is a mystery. The movie presents very strong performances from its lead actors as well as the supporting cast that includes Mary Stuart Masterson, Crispin Glover, Keifer Sutherland, and Sean Penn's younger brother Chris Penn. The movie also has an incredibly bittersweet musical score, taken from Madonna's wonderful song 'Live To Tell' Very Recommended A
Rating: 
Summary: SUCKED WALKEN COULD HAVE DONE BETTER
Review: At the time Sean Penn was not very known so it didn't surprise me
he would be in this flop of a movie.But Walken was already respected and an oscar winner.What was he thinken.Christopher
Walken is a great actor and he does a good job in this but this
movie is so boring I couldn't wait for it to end.Skip this see
Deer Hunter,Dead Zone for good Walken movies.As for Penn along
with colors thank god for Casualties of war or he would have never gotten were he is today.
Rating:
Summary: jonap CLASSIC MOVIES
Review: Better than excellent movie...both sean penn and christopher walken are more than believable as well as terrific in their roles...get this movie! NOW! understand...it's not an upper, so if you're looking for fun and breezy, you're probably not going to get it, here.
Rating: 
Summary: Overlooked Gem
Review: First of all, the fact that Sean Penn, Chris Penn (much leaner), and Christopher Walken populate the cast should be reason enough to want to view this film. On various levels, however, this film delivers. It is an honest, realistic portrayal of blue-collar criminal life conspiciously (thank you very much) absent of glamor. At the heart of the movie is a love story that, well, adds heart to the dark nature of the film's (mostly true, apparently) subject matter. The cinematography captures a physical beauty of small town America that invites repeat viewings. Although a simple moral tale at its core, the film does not preach. At Close Range possesses a strangely alluring, beautiful quality. The imagery made me(naively)wish I grew up in small-town America on a farm, cliff-diving into isolated lakes and running through corn fields. Ah, movies. Bottom line, this is a SOLID movie.
Rating:
Summary: Classic
Review: Great movie. What is there more to say---Christopher Walken is born for this role.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I felt it was very realistic for a movie of this type. I personally feel that people who live this lifestyle are often presented with this odd and BS sense of character/image. Many people with this life are not businessmen in three piece suits. They're often very brutal men, with zero boundries. I thinks it's funny to some degree because there seems to be at least one family like this in every small town. They live in a mobile home and they steal everyone in the town blind, as well as have much more money than they appear. Much like in this movie. When they're seen, people in town will always talk or tell stories they heard. Some true....others not. I felt this flick had superb acting, and I enjoyed it very much.
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