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AT CLOSE RANGE (1986)
MAIN DETAILS • SYNOPSIS • CAST • QUOTES • NOTES • PHOTOS & MEDIA • CRITICAL PRAISE/COMMENTARY • RELATED LINKS
 At Close Range (1986) - photo copyright © MGM | Role: Tony Pine
U.S. Release: 1986
Director: James Foley"Like Father. Like Son. Like Hell."Synopsis: Based upon the true story of Bruce Johnston Sr., his son, and his brothers. Together, they constituted one of suburban Philadelphia's most notorious crime families during the 1970's. Their criminal activities ranged from burglary, theft and, ultimately, murder. Cast:
Sean Penn .... Brad Whitewood Jr.
Christopher Walken .... Brad Whitewood Sr.
Mary Stuart Masterson .... Terry
Christopher Penn .... 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, the informant
Kiefer Sutherland .... Tim
Stephen Geoffreys .... Aggie
Crispin Glover .... Lucas Favorite Quotes:
• "Tony Pine. He's epileptic." - Brad Whitewood Sr. Notes:
• David actually has two roles in At Close Range. In addition to playing Tony Pine, David also has an uncredited role during the cock fight. His figure is in shadow so that audiences cannot recognize his face.
• During the scene when Sean Penn sticks a gun in co-star Christopher Walken's face, Walken checked the gun before the scene started. Before the director had the chance to say "action", Penn ran off camera and shouted "Give me the other gun!" Penn immediately returned to Walken and started the scene, pretending to have a real gun to make the scene even more terrifying. This is the cut that made it into the movie, and Walken was truely terrified.
• The story is based off of the actual crimes of Bruce Johnston, Sr. in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
• Sean Penn's then-wife Madonna wrote and performed the film's main theme "Live to Tell", which went to the top of the Billboard charts. Critical Praise & Commentary:
• "The supporting cast includes Mary Stuart Masterson, Crispin Glover, Kiefer Sutherland, and David Strathairn. At Close Range features strong performances..." -Stax, Film Force • "The specific shot that I will call out as one example of both the director's and the actors' perfection in the film is the first burglary shown... Brad's crew set to their posts and tasks. And the camera zooms in on a shot of Tony 'he's an epileptic' Pine (David Strathairn)... The mastery of his safework says it all, Walken's method and belief: each man is a member of the team. Each man has a strength and function in the team..." -Suzanne Lafrance, DVD Review • "Mary Stuart Masterson holds her own extremely well against the two more seasoned and experienced main actors, with support from the likes of David Strathairn, Crispin Glover, and Kiefer Sutherland all in very minor and early-career roles. Indeed, the cast assembled here is quite impressive." -Darren Walters, Michael DVD Related Links:
Official U.S. Site (off site) | 
