At Close Range
Seen it?1986 | 116 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (87% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest, though it had a lukewarm 6.8 out of 10 from audiences and a box office loss. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Cape Fear or In Cold Blood, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 56 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence and drug use.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Brad Whitewood Jr. lives in rural Pennsylvania and has few prospects. Against his mother's wishes, he seeks out his estranged father, the head of a gang of thieves in a nearby town. Though his new girlfriend supports his criminal ambitions, Brad Jr. soon learns that his father is a dangerous man.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide on a $7 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 224K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Cape Fear
Saturday SpecialAnother legal crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
In Cold Blood
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed true-story crime drama.
Thoroughbreds Sunday Safe BetAnother drug-world drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Iceman
Weeknight WatchAnother mob crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Witness Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by James Foley
- Sean PennBradford 'Brad' Whitewood Jr.
- Christopher WalkenBradford 'Brad' Whitewood Sr.
- Mary Stuart MastersonTerry
- Chris PennThomas 'Tommy' Whitewood
- Millie PerkinsJulie
- Eileen RyanGrandma
- Tracey WalterUncle Patch Whitewood
- David StrathairnTony Pine
- J.C. QuinnBoyd
- Candy ClarkMary Sue