Is the Movie At Close Range Based on a True Story?
by Sakthi
Updated Apr 20, 2023
Is the Movie At Close Range Based on a True Story?
At Close Range is a crime drama film that was released in 1986 and starred Sean Penn and Christopher Walken. The movie tells the story of a father and son who become involved in a life of crime. Many people have wondered if the movie is based on a true story.
While the movie is not explicitly based on a single true story, it was inspired by several real-life events that occurred in rural Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s. The screenwriter, Nicholas Kazan, researched the crimes and the people involved and used that information to create a fictional story that was heavily influenced by real events.
Furthermore, the movie's opening credits explicitly state that it is "based on a true story," which is an indication that the filmmakers took some artistic licence but still heavily drew on real-life events to tell their story.
Moreover, the movie's themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of living a life of crime are universal, and they resonate with audiences across generations. This is a testament to the movie's ability to capture the essence of a true story, even if it is not based on a single specific event.
While At Close Range may not be based on a single true story, it was inspired by real-life events and accurately portrays the realities of a life of crime. The movie's themes and its impact on audiences are proof of its authenticity, and it remains a classic crime drama that is worth watching.
At Close Range Ending Explained
The ending of At Close Range is quite suspenseful and leaves the audience with a few unanswered questions. In the final scenes, Brad Whitewood Jr. (played by Sean Penn) has turned on his father, Brad Whitewood Sr. (played by Christopher Walken), and agrees to testify against him in court.
As Brad Jr. is being driven to the courthouse by the FBI, his half-brother Tommy (played by Chris Penn) stops the car and urges Brad Jr. to come with him. Tommy tells Brad Jr. that he knows their father is going to get off easy in court and that they need to take matters into their own hands.
Brad Jr. is torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire to start a new life away from his criminal past. In the end, he chooses to leave with the FBI, and Tommy is arrested for attempting to interfere with a witness. The movie ends with Brad Jr. sitting alone in the back of the FBI car, looking out the window as the credits roll. It's unclear what his future holds, but it's clear that he has made a difficult decision that will change the course of his life.
The ambiguous ending of the movie is intentional, as it leaves the audience to ponder the consequences of Brad Jr.'s decision and the impact that his past will continue to have on his life. Overall, the ending of At Close Range is thought-provoking and leaves the audience with a sense of curiosity and intrigue.
At Close Range Plot
The movie At Close Range tells the story of Brad Whitewood Jr. (played by Sean Penn), a young man who is drawn into a life of crime when he reconnects with his estranged father, Brad Whitewood Sr. (played by Christopher Walken). Brad Sr. is the leader of a gang of thieves who rob rural Pennsylvania towns to make a quick buck.
At first, Brad Jr. is excited to be part of his father's gang and is eager to prove himself. But as he becomes more involved in their criminal activities, he begins to realise the true cost of his choices. He falls in love with a local girl, Terry (played by Mary Stuart Masterson), and dreams of a better life with her, but his loyalty to his family keeps pulling him back.
As the law starts to close in on the gang, tensions rise between Brad Jr. and his father. Brad Jr. starts to question the morality of their actions and wonders if there is a way out. But his father is determined to keep him under his control, no matter the cost.
With stunning performances by Sean Penn and Christopher Walken and an electrifying plot filled with tension, action, and suspense, At Close Range is a must-see for fans of crime dramas.
At Close Range Cast and Characters
Let us look at the cast and characters of At Close Range in the table below.
Sean Penn
Bradford "Brad" Whitewood Jr.
Christopher Walken
Bradford "Brad" Whitewood Sr.
Mary Stuart Masterson
Terry
Chris Penn
Thomas "Tommy" Whitewood
Millie Perkins
Julie
Eileen Ryan
Grandma
Tracey Walter
Uncle Patch Whitewood
R. D. Call
Dickie
David Strathairn
Tony Pine
J. C. Quinn
Boyd
Candy Clark
Mary Sue
Jake Dengel
Lester
Kiefer Sutherland
Tim
Crispin Glover
Lucas
Stephen Geoffreys
Aggie
Alan Autry
Ernie
Noelle Parker
Jill
Cast
Characters
Is the Movie At Close Range Based on a True Story: FAQs
While the movie is not based on a single true story, it was inspired by several real-life events that occurred in rural Pennsylvania in the 1970s and 1980s.
The movie tells the story of Brad Whitewood Jr., a young man who becomes involved in a life of crime when he reconnects with his estranged father, Brad Whitewood Sr., the leader of a gang of thieves who rob rural Pennsylvania towns.
The movie explores themes of family loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of living a life of crime.
The ending of the movie is ambiguous and leaves the audience to ponder the consequences of the main character's decision
James Foley directed the movie.