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 . Sean Penn . Following his film debut in the drama Taps ( 1981 ) and a diverse range of film roles in the 1980s , including Fast Times at Ridgemont High ( 1982 ) , Penn garnered critical attention for his roles in the crime dramas At Close Range ( 1986 ) , State of Grace ( 1990 ) , and Carlito 's Way ( 1993 ) . Penn made his feature film directorial debut with The Indian Runner ( 1991 ) , followed by the drama film The Crossing Guard ( 1995 ) and the mystery film The Pledge ( 2001 ) .
Sean Penn was in crime drama films in the 1990s.