At Any Price (2012)

A farming family's business is threatened by an unexpected crisis, further testing the relationship between a father and his rebellious son.

Director:

Ramin Bahrani

Writers:

Ramin Bahrani (screenplay), Hallie Elizabeth Newton

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Kim Dickens, Zac Efron

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Quaid	...	Henry Whipple
Kim Dickens	...	Irene Whipple
Aaron B. Oduber	...	Young Dean Whipple
Jacob R. Oduber	...	Young Grant Whipple
Zac Efron	...	Dean Whipple
Patrick W. Stevens	...	Grant Whipple
Guy Massey	...	Funeral Pastor
John Hoogenakker	...	Mr. Pritchard
Laura Atwood	...	Mrs. Pritchard
Dan Waller	...	Larry Brown
Maika Monroe	...	Cadence Farrow
Phil Ridarelli	...	Salesman
Clancy Brown	...	Jim Johnson
Chelcie Ross	...	Byron
Bob Hungerford	...	Diner Old Timer

Storyline

In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious Henry Whipple wants his rebellious son Dean to help expand his family's farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family's entire livelihood.

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Plot Keywords:

investigation | race car | family business | race car driver | sex standing up | 

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Taglines:

How far would you go to chase a dream?

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content including a strong graphic image, and for language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 May 2013 (Philippines)

Also Known As:

Iga hinna eest

Filming Locations:

DeKalb, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$16,095 (USA) (26 April 2013)

Gross:

$176,015 (USA) (17 May 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Bear Pictures, Treehouse Pictures, Killer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Zac Efron's tattoo on his right arm is covered with makeup throughout the film but is visible in the sequence with Irene and Dean at the dinner table.

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Soundtracks

"Dearest Lady"
Written by John Burton Kerry (ASCAP)
Performed by Ocha La Rocha
Courtesy of Urband & Lazar Music

User Reviews

A Dark Reflection on the American Dream on the Family Farm

At Any Price was well-received in its regional premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. Writer/Director Ramin Bahrani continues to show his great versatility as a young filmmaker. Here he moves from the urban environments of his earlier work to rural Iowa. The opening credits suggest that this film will be a romantic tribute to the fading world of the rural family farm. But At Any Price is really about how rural America has become just as ruthless capitalist and competitive as the rest of American life. The film is about the corruption of the American Dream and how the family farm is becoming increasingly ruthless competitive system. The family in this case is the seemingly average Whipple family headed by Henry Whipple who wants to pass his business on to his son Dean Whipple. Dean wants to escape the family farm for the far more exciting world of stock car racing. Dean seems to hate his father, but seems unable to escape the reality of being his father's son. Their father-son relationship drives the entire film. The two leads, Denis Quaid as Henry and Zac Efron as his son, are definitely playing against type as they are both known for far lighter fare. Both really manage to display their acting acumen in what turns out to be a far darker view of the often romanticized American family farm. This is a world of genetically-modified seeds and ruthless competition not church socials. At Any Price is a film about the cost of family and the high cost of the family farm. The farm appears to be just another exemplar of the troubling nature of American capitalism. While the film may prove to be too dark for the ordinary audience of these actors, it is very powerful film about dysfunctional family life and economic life in modern America that should be widely viewed. Highly recommended for those interested in serious film drama.