At Close Range (1986)

The lighting was noticeably a key part of several scenes and plays perfectly with Mr. Walken's natural features. The cinematography was brilliant a few times. Funny seeing a skinny baby face Kiefer. I see that not much has been said of Mary Stuart Masterson's performance but I give her a shout for a perfect performance. Since this was based upon real events, off to Wiki I go. Tymtime

...although I am not a big fan of Sean Penn(he is very politically opinionated);I saw this movie on afternoon KOFY-TV,I did spend 3 yrs.in the Midwest; it absolutely replicates some of the cultural underpinnings of the Midwest(although not as violent as this movie depicts); I thought Sean's flame was Erin Rachel wood(it was actually Millie Perkins, who I am not familiar with); also I did a double take when I thought I saw David Straithern as one of the gang members; altogether, a thoroughly authentic movie about good 'ole boys going to their weekend 'world of outlaws' stock car racing life.(actually challenged by car-crazed teens every day to race in everyday street traffic...)

It's kinda unfairly forgotten drama about searching your own place in the world and the relationship between father and son.Director James Foley directs this movie with style , but the whole movie is too cold to really affect the viewer. The dramatic scenes lack the tension they should have and the movie does seem to drag at places , like it doesn't know where to go next. The screenplay could have been better. It is based on real story , yet it never really gives us insight into the characters . I think they should be more complex. Also other characters seem rather passive (Peann's mother) and some subplots seem unnecessary. Anyway , while watching the movie I've got a feeling that the writer could done better job.The acting is probably the best ting in the movie . Sean Penn and Christopher Walken are great . Walken always had talent for playing twisted characters. Penn gives a likable performance as the frustrated teenager. Mary Mastroniano and Christopher Penn also give solid support as respectively – the delicate girlfriend and the loyal brother.It's a great, unfairly forgotten drama movie from the 80's. I give it 8/10.

I've loved this movie since the first time I watched it 15 years ago and have always been intrigued. I have noticed people on here wanting more info on the real story behind the Johnston gang. I downloaded a book from amazon called "Jailing The Johnston Gang". It tells the whole story and is written by a reporter who was following the story when it was happening. A lot of info and had my mind blown. There is a lot in the movie that is dead on and a lot that can be contributed to entertainment. I highly recommend buying the book. It also has pictures of the real gang. More info is that this happened in rural Pennsylvania and Bruce Johnston (Brad Whitewood) had a home in northern Maryland very close to Delaware. This info is also in the book. There are a lot of quotes and things said and done that are word for word what the real life criminals said or did. I loved the book and At Close Range has been and always will be my favorite movie. It actually happened to be on TV yesterday and I was so excited. Hope that helps :)