At Any Price Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A farmer and his son make some questionable decisions involving seeds and race cars, and things get awkward at family gatherings.

🍿 At Any Price: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to the Whipple Family

Henry Whipple, portrayed by Dennis Quaid, is a successful seed salesman and farmer in Iowa, driven by ambition and a desire to expand his family’s farming empire. His younger son, Dean, played by Zac Efron, is a rebellious young man with dreams of becoming a professional race car driver, a stark contrast to his father’s agricultural aspirations. The dynamic between Henry and Dean sets the stage for a conflict between tradition and personal ambition.

Dean’s Racing Ambitions and Family Tensions

Dean dedicates his time and efforts to racing, participating in local competitions with the support of his girlfriend, Cadence. However, his racing aspirations clash with his father’s expectations and the family’s farming legacy. The tension escalates as Dean faces setbacks in his racing career and Henry’s business dealings come under scrutiny.

Henry’s Business Dealings and Investigation

Henry faces increasing pressure as his unethical practice of ‘cleaning’ and reselling genetically modified seeds is exposed, leading to an investigation by Liberty Seeds. His illegal activities threaten the family’s livelihood and create further strain on his relationship with Dean, who becomes aware of his father’s wrongdoings.

Escalation and Cover-Up

Driven by a desire to protect his family and their farm, Dean confronts Ben, the son of Henry’s rival, Jim Johnson, whom he wrongly believes is responsible for informing on his father. An altercation ensues, resulting in Ben’s accidental death. Henry and Dean make the drastic decision to bury Ben’s body and cover up the crime.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Whipple (Dennis Quaid): An ambitious and ruthless farmer, Henry is desperate to expand his family’s farming empire and maintain his reputation, even if it means engaging in unethical practices.
• Dean Whipple (Zac Efron): Henry’s rebellious son, Dean dreams of becoming a race car driver and escaping the family farm, leading to conflict with his father and his own moral compromises.
• Irene Whipple (Kim Dickens): Henry’s long-suffering wife, Irene is aware of her husband’s flaws but struggles to maintain the family’s facade and her own sanity.
• Meredith Crown (Heather Graham): Henry’s mistress, Meredith represents a source of temptation and complication in Henry’s already troubled life.
• Cadence Farrow (Maika Monroe): Dean’s sharp-witted girlfriend, Cadence possesses business acumen and offers a contrasting moral compass to the Whipple family.
• Jim Johnson (Clancy Brown): Henry’s main business rival, Jim is a competitor in the seed business and represents an external threat to Henry’s livelihood.
• Byron (Chelcie Ross): A local farmer and land owner who is eventually revealed as the informant.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry Whipple: “Am I a happy man? How can I not be?” – Said by Henry, revealing his superficial view of happiness tied to success, despite the moral compromises he makes.
• Dean Whipple: “I just want to go fast.” – Dean’s simple statement encapsulates his desire to escape the family farm and pursue his dream of racing.
• Henry Whipple: “It’s not enough to be good, you have to *look* good.” – Highlights Henry’s focus on appearances and maintaining a positive image, even if it means sacrificing integrity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10 million
• Domestic Gross: $380,594
• Worldwide Gross: $487,965

💥 At Any Price Reviews

Personal Review

I found ‘At Any Price’ to be a compelling, if a little depressing, look at family dynamics under pressure. Dennis Quaid really shines as the father figure, you can really feel his struggle to maintain control. I really felt a connection to the characters, even when they made bad decisions. The racing scenes were a fun break from the heavier themes. The plot twists kept me engaged until the end.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron”
  • “Viewers interested in dramas exploring complex family relationships”
  • “Those intrigued by films depicting the challenges and ethical dilemmas in modern agriculture”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Discussion of illegal activities”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Bahrani’s direction is solid, but the film lacks a clear focus, juggling too many subplots and character arcs without fully exploring any of them, leading to a somewhat disjointed narrative. Quaid delivers a strong performance.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “The film offers a grim look at American values and the pressures of success, but it falters due to its predictable plot and somewhat underdeveloped characters. The father-son dynamic is compelling.
• Roger Ebert: “Whipple, as he loves to remind us, is the largest seller of seeds in seven Iowa counties, second only to Jim Johnson (Clancy Brown). His eldest son Grant, who he idealizes, is off mountain-climbing in the Andes while his party-boy younger son Dean (Zac Efron) races cars, leaving dad and mom (a powerful, understated Kim Dickens) to run the family business.

Audience Reactions

Quaid and Efron’s performances are praised.: Many viewers felt that the acting elevated the somewhat predictable storyline, particularly Quaid’s portrayal of a flawed father figure.

The movie had many twists and turns to the very end.: Many viewers enjoyed the many twist and turns, even when they lead to negative outcomes.

Overall Consensus: A decent drama with strong performances, but the storyline may not be for everyone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Ramin Bahrani is known for exploring American themes and values in his films. ‘At Any Price’ continues this trend by examining the pressures and moral compromises in modern agriculture.”
• “Dennis Quaid’s performance as Henry Whipple has been praised as one of the best of his career, showcasing a darker, more complex character than he often plays.”
• “The film was shot on location in DeKalb, Illinois, to realistically depict the rural landscapes of the American Midwest.”

🖥️ How to Watch At Any Price?

As of October 2024, “At Any Price” is available for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability and potential subscription requirements.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed At Any Price, you might like these similar films:

• Death of a Salesman (1949): Both films explore the dark side of the American Dream, focusing on protagonists who are driven by ambition and ultimately face tragic consequences.
• 99 Homes (2014): Directed by the same director, Ramin Bahrani, focusing on the morality of capitalism and the sacrifices people are willing to make to achieve success.
• There Will Be Blood (2007): Explores themes of ambition, family, and moral decay in the pursuit of wealth, set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America.
• American Beauty (1999): Examines the dark underbelly of suburban life and the pressures of maintaining a perfect facade, similar to the Whipple family’s struggles.

🛒 At Any Price Related Products

• Racing Games: Experience the thrill of professional racing with the latest racing games. Compete in high-speed events and build your racing empire!
• Agriculture Simulator: Farming Life: Take on the challenges of modern agriculture in Farming Simulator! Cultivate fields, manage resources, and build your farming empire in this detailed simulation game.
• Dennis Quaid Film Collection: Enjoy a collection of Dennis Quaid’s most memorable films. Relive his iconic roles!
• Zac Efron Poster: Own a limited-edition poster featuring Zac Efron in his role as Dean Whipple.

🎧 Soundtrack

At Any Price features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Remember You” – performed by Ruby Dee and The Snakehandlers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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