A teenage farm boy looking for excitement finds himself on a collision course with his smooth-talking gang leader father in this “powerfully disturbing” (Newsweek) tale based on the story of real-life killer Bruce Johnston. Oscar® winner* Sean Penn (Dead Man Walking) and Oscar® winner** Christopher Walken (Pulp Fiction) star in this “hot, horrifying saga of an American criminal family” (Los Angeles Times).
Juvenile delinquent Brad Whitewood, Jr. (Penn) knows about petty theft, but he wants big money – enough to blow the lid off his boring life, enough to get out of town and to find his ol’ man (Walken). He wants to be like his dad, a big-time thief, who knows “the business.” Seductive and sinister, Brad’s father is full of toxic wisdom that makes his illicit life appear eerily sexy. But when Brad witnesses his father deliberately killing someone, he realizes he may not only be in over his head… he may also lose it for good.
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Video Quality
At Close Range returns to Blu-Ray via the MVD Rewind Collection with a 1080p transfer after previously being available from Twilight Time, who released a Blu-Ray that is long out of print and previously fetching hefty prices on the secondary market. I actually have that release, and this master appears to be derived from the same source. There are certainly elements that could be improved with a new scan, but what we have here renders nicely with natural film grain that has not been manipulated or scrubbed out. The transfer does expose some fine detail, but then you also have moments that run on the soft side or experience some fluctuations in density.
This film fares best in the bright daytime scenes, as the copious amount of nighttime sequences can often struggle to provide distinct outlines or clarity. The black levels could be stronger instead of the slightly milky appearance we get which only provides a pittance of depth. There are also some moments of crush and banding, which can be unsightly but does not ruin the transfer. Colors that can shine in the brighter moments leap off of the screen with a strong saturation. You also get some nice detail in the production design and texture of clothing. Significant damage is not experienced anywhere throughout, but specks pop up here and there. The presentation gets the job done, but we would never pass up a new scan in the future.
Audio Quality
MVD Entertainment brings us this new Blu-Ray with a LPCM 2.0 track that holds up really well. The Patrick Leonard score adds a formidable thematic undercurrent to the feature as it permeates the room. The dialogue comes through without issue as it works in harmony with the score and environmental effects. Environmental effects are precisely delineated from the closing chatter in the courtroom to some of the hefty car sounds. Even during the most harrowing moments, this track maintains its fidelity without any noticeable instances of age related wear and tear. This track offers a great representation of the film. Optional English (SDH), French and Spanish subtitles are provided on this disc.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Director James Foley provides a commentary track moderated by Nick Redman in which he discusses his relationship with Sean Penn, how he got involved with the production, his work with actors, having the film to turn into somewhat of a family affair, how the film business was different in the 1980s, the trajectory of his career and much more that makes for a pretty solid listen.
- Isolated Score Track: An option to watch the film with just the Patrick Leonard score in LPCM 2.0.
- Trailers: This disc provides the three-minute trailer for At Close Range. The disc also features trailers for other MVD releases including The Chocolate War, Panther, Miami Blues, Desperate Hours and Disturbing Behavior.
- Poster: A fold-out poster of the cover art is included in the case.
Final Thoughts
At Close Range is a really impactful crime drama which unfolds with a terrific pace as the characters get consumed in this lifestyle which quickly pulls them under like quicksand. The key to this narrative is the performances, especially that of the very menacing Christopher Walken who knows how to modulate his demeanor between inviting and sinister. Sean Penn holds his own in an equally complex portrayal that makes you long for the days when then these types of roles were more common for him. The film is unsparing in its brutality, but it really delivers something special in the end. MVD Entertainment has offered up a new Blu-Ray with a fairly strong A/V presentation and a couple of special features and some nice packaging. If you love a good crime drama, you certainly should not pass this by. Recommended
At Close Range is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: MVD Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.