<P> At Close Range is a 1986 American crime drama film directed by James Foley , based on the real life rural Pennsylvania crime family led by Bruce Johnston Sr. which operated during the 1960s and 1970s . It stars Sean Penn and Christopher Walken , with Mary Stuart Masterson , Sean 's brother Chris Penn , David Strathairn , Crispin Glover , Kiefer Sutherland , and Eileen Ryan ( the Penns ' real - life mother ) in supporting roles . The film was critically acclaimed . </P>
what is the movie at close range about
the real life rural Pennsylvania crime family led by Bruce Johnston Sr. which operated during the 1960s and 1970s