80s Movie Review - At Close Range

Director: James Foley
Genre: Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 111 minutes
Year: 1986
Starring: Sean Penn, Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Mary Stuart Masterson, Kiefer Sutherland, Millie Perkins, Eileen Ryan, Tracey Walter, David Strathairn, Crispin Glover

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2022 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 37: A MOVIE RECOMMENDED BY YOUR BROTHER
 
Description: Reunited with his career criminal father (Christopher Walken), tough teen Brad (Sean Penn) thinks he’s found his ticker to an exciting life of crime, only to find out he’s wrong.

Review: Brad Whitewood is a boy from a simple background whose life is going nowhere. Occasionally he has a job but he never really keeps it up for long. Then suddenly his father returns. Brad Sr. turns out to be the leader of a local gang. Soon Brad Jr. starts working for his father. He experiences success with some simple jobs and Brad’s friends join. They too have an appetite for making quick money. However, Brad’s friends are not the most efficient thieves and soon things go wrong. The police are after them and Brad Sr. has no problem getting some witnesses out of the way. Brad wonders how far his father will go to stay out of jail and even begins to fear for his own life.

Sean Penn and Christopher Walken in one movie, that’s going to be great. This is what any movie lover would think when they see who is starring in this film. I can say it is true. Penn and Walken both have rock solid performances and carry the film. Walken in particular is stellar as the criminal and psychotic Brad Whitewood Sr. One moment you think you are dealing with a caring father while a moment later he turns into a cold-blooded killer who does everything in his power not to get caught.

Director James Foley manages to keep the tension well throughout the film, the story is loosely based on a true story. Highly recommended for people who like dramas with a touch of thriller.

Rating: 4/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 153: Some Kind of Wonderful

Director: Howard Deutch

Genre: Comedy/ Romance/ Drama

Runtime: 95 minutes

Year: 1987

Starring: Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Mary Stuart Masterson, Craig Sheffer, Elias Koteas, Candace Cameron, John Ashton

Description: A young tomboy, Watts (Mary Stuart Masterson), finds her feelings for her best friend, Keith (Eric Stoltz), run deeper than just friendship when he gets a date with the most popular girl in school (Lea Thompson). Unfortunately, the girl's old boyfriend, who is from the rich section of town, is unable to let go of her, and plans to get back at Keith.

Review: An ‘80s movie written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch. They worked together before, on “Pretty in Pink”. And a year later the duo released “Some Kind of Wonderful”, a fun teen film. We follow Keith, who has a crush on the most popular girl in school. But what he doesn't know, is that his best friend, tomboy Watts, has been in love with him for quite some time.

Off course, something like this is relatable to teens or for anyone who was a teen. The movie is very predictable, but that’s almost every movie in this genre. But the acting is fresh and it’s a fun movie to watch. And unlike a lot of other teen movies, Deutch really paid attention to the characters. They have depth and you get to know them. This way it’s easier to identify with them.

“Some Kind of Wonderful” is a film with a good mix of comedy, drama and romance. Don’t you just love eighties movies like this?

Rating: 3,5/ 5