Key Takeaways
- Sean Penn delivers a powerful and convincing performance as Brad Jr., a young man torn between his desire for his father’s approval and the growing realization of Brad Sr.’s true nature.
- Christopher Walken’s portrayal of Brad Sr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of his career.
- The spirit between Penn and Walken drives the movie, culminating in a remarkable final confrontation that showcases both actors at the height of their powers.
| Genre | Crime, Drama |
| Stars | Sean Penn Christopher Walken Mary Stuart Masterson |
| Director | James Foley |
| Release Date | 1986 |
Synopsis
| Reunited with his career criminal father, tough teen Brad thinks he’s found his ticket to an exciting life of crime, only to find out he’s wrong. |
“At Close Range” is a gritty crime drama set in rural Pennsylvania in the late 1970s.
The movie revolves around the troubled relationship between Brad Whitewood Jr. (Sean Penn) and his estranged father, Brad Whitewood Sr. (Christopher Walken).
Brad Jr., an aimless teenager living in near filth with his mother, grandmother, and brother Tommy, becomes fascinated by his father’s criminal lifestyle when Brad Sr. shows up with a flashy car and pockets full of cash.
Eager to impress his father and escape his dreary existence, Brad Jr. forms his own gang with Tommy and their friends, committing petty thefts and fencing stolen goods through his father’s net worth.
As Brad Jr. seeks full entry into his father’s gang, he witnesses the true extent of Brad Sr.’s ruthlessness when the gang murders a suspected informant.
Simultaneously, Brad Jr. falls for Terry (Mary Stuart Masterson), a local girl who becomes a source of concern for Brad Sr.
When Brad Jr. and his friends are arrested for stealing tractors, the FBI attempts to turn him against his father.
Paranoid about potential witnesses, Brad Sr. embarks on a chilling effort to eliminate anyone who might testify, including members of his own family.
The movie culminates in a harrowing confrontation between father and son, leading to Brad Jr.’s decision to testify against his father in court.
Roles of Sean Penn And Christopher Walken In The Movie
Sean Penn (Brad Whitewood Jr.): Penn delivers a powerful and convincing performance as Brad Jr., a young man torn between his desire for his father’s approval and the growing realization of Brad Sr.’s true nature.
Penn masterfully portrays the character’s journey from a tough but generally good kid to a disillusioned young man forced to confront the horrors committed by his own father.
His portrayal is heartbreaking and convincing, showcasing Penn’s raw talent.
Christopher Walken (Brad Whitewood Sr.): Walken’s portrayal of Brad Sr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of his career.
He brings to life a character of terrifying complexity—a charming, hospitable man on the surface who harbors sophisticated tendencies beneath.
Walken’s Brad Sr. is the epitome of rural evil, a man who has turned amoral through years of criminal activity.
His performance is chillingly believable, making Brad Sr. one of movie history’s most despicable and frightening villains.
The spirit between Sean Penn and Christopher Walken drives the movie, culminating in a remarkable final confrontation that showcases both actors at the height of their powers.
Their performances lend a documentary-like realism to the story, elevating “At Close Range” beyond a simple crime drama into a deep exploration of familial bonds’ limits and evil’s insidious nature.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Brad Whitewood Sr.’s role was first offered to legendary actor Robert De Niro, but he turned down the offer because he felt it was too dark.
- Sean Penn’s then-wife, Madonna, performed the movie’s feature song “Live to Tell.”
- Eileen Ryan, who plays the role of Penn Brothers’ grandmother in the movie, is actually the actors’ real-life mother.
