MovieChat Forums > At Close Range (1986) Discussion > The lost art of opening credits

The lost art of opening credits

posted 15 years ago by mac1165
10 replies | jump to latest

I started watching this movie again and was immediately impressed with its opening credits sequence. The haunting music, Sean Penn's facial expressions as he drives the car, the dream-like fading in and fading out of the image, and the emergence of Mary Stuart Masterson's character. If you've already seen the movie, this sequence has great meaning in what is about to come. If not, it brilliantly sets the mood and gives the impression that something significant is about to happen. Aside from Tim Burton, I don't think near enough importance is given to opening credit sequences anymore. It seems the norm now is a simple title card.

[–] CartersMom 15 years ago

This is exactly the reason I love this film. The opening credits, that's it they had me at hello. I could rewind and watch over and over. I have never known anyone else who was as captivated by it as myself. I Thought I was an oddball. Good eye! I found this music on a Hemdale CD a year ago. I would have thought there would have been a soundtrack, have searched for years and have never come across even a trace of one. Love it, Love it, Love it!

[–] ereinion 15 years ago

Yes and the scene where Brad is washing himself after being shot. It was so powerful, showing the close ups of the wounds. I thought "Wow, this director really knows how to express himself!" It is a very powerful movie altogether, but that scene stood out for me.

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe *beep* yourself.

[–] sgraf_x 15 years ago

OMG ereinion yes that scene is so powerful. That has always been my favorite part of the movie artistically. And the way Foley directs the camera work during that whole sequence is amazing.

There is NO Gene for the Human Spirit. Gattaca

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sir_marmalade 15 years ago

I watched this on video about two dozen times in the late 80s. It still hasn't got the reputation it deserves.

What a film...

"Tinkerty tonk," I said, and I meant it to sting.

[–] politicaldefiance 14 years ago

I agree! I saw this movie for the first time today and really loved the opening credits, especially the music. So perfectly done.

[–] mail-2775 14 years ago

I agree, this one has a very strong opening scene.

It is the exact opposite of, for example, the opening scene of Sleep With Me.

[–] henrimaine 8 years ago

I also liked the opening credit sequence and the instrumental version of Live To Tell created a good atmosphere. But I must say that this music was a bit overused throughout the rest of the movie. No matter how good the music is, if you use it too much during a movie, then it becomes cheap.

[–] minime1963 8 years ago

Mesmerizing, stylish, and brilliant. Love the whole movie from start to finish!

[–] guigui-paul 7 years ago

It's one of my favourite scenes ever...it's very sensual haunting somewhat moving...all these close-ups of Sean Penn's face, you feel the hope, fear and strength of youth...incredible...and then Mary Stuart Masterson appears and it becomes magic!!