At Close Range

Orion Pictures | Release Date: April 18, 1986

7.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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johntechwriterNov 4, 2018

This little film burns like a fuse from start to finish, thanks to intense performances from Christopher Walken and Sean Penn. Viewers who are not aware of the nature of small-town criminals — a completely different culture from big-cityThis little film burns like a fuse from start to finish, thanks to intense performances from Christopher Walken and Sean Penn. Viewers who are not aware of the nature of small-town criminals — a completely different culture from big-city gangstas — might think the characters are overplayed, but they’re not. I know because I grew up in a small town and was a casual friend of several of these characters. I went to school with them and then, before I moved to the big city, knew them as young adults. Three of the guys I knew died violently. I wasn’t involved in their escapades, but they knew I wouldn’t squeal, so we lived and let live.

Like their big-city cousins, these criminals live life on the edge, for the moment. The profits from their criminal activities run second to these guys' craving for the juice — the danger, the excitement of a crime in progress. For guys with a criminal mentality, this high is as strong as any drug. And in the small-town version of criminal life, everybody knows who the local bad guys are. But what can law abiding folks do? They are thrown in together with sociopaths and have to figure out how to get along. When you factor all those elements in, and honestly present them as a drama like this one, the tension comes from several directions at once and builds to a devastating climax. What impressed me most about this film was how it rang true — in how the characters conducted themselves, how they interacted, the crazy thing they did. As in small-town real life, the element that makes this movie's fuse burn the brightest is . . . family. When you mix family with criminality, and throw in some hurt feelings to add spice, you’ve got the ingredients for an exciting, original crime movie.… Expand

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MarcJames1987Sep 4, 2021

One of the best, underrated movies. Amazing performances by every single actor. Walken’s role was unforgettable.

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OriginalDangerJul 13, 2020

At Close Range is a 1986 film which confuses me slightly since I've just watched the film and after the credits rolled it says 1985 so that's strange... Anyway it's a crime movie more than anything and director James Foley made a good jobAt Close Range is a 1986 film which confuses me slightly since I've just watched the film and after the credits rolled it says 1985 so that's strange... Anyway it's a crime movie more than anything and director James Foley made a good job when he directed this... Christopher Walken is kind of unpredictable and scary and rather great in his appearance and Sean Penn is very believable and it's one of his best films along with Carlito's Way and State of Grace.... At Close Range see's a lot of people being killed and a few surprises here and there and the story is very great. The acting is faultless and perfect but there's quite a bit of violence in the film which is also great. A possible rape scene that thank God never gets completed and plenty of criminal stuff going on. Christopher Walken strangely enough plays Sean Penn's dad in the movie but that doesn't ruin the film and it works. I recommend any moviegoer to view this film because it's great plus it has a great tune by Madonna when the credits roll at the end which is a perfect way to end it. One other thing is At Close Range is based on a true story so check it out. Also stars Crispin Glover, Stephen Geoffrey's and many others.… Expand

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