At Any Price

At Any Price

Year: 2013

Runtime: 105 min

Language: English

Director: Ramin Bahrani

AdventureDramaThrillerFamily

In the heartland of America, a devoted father and seed farmer must navigate the complex terrain of family dynamics when his restless son chases his dream of becoming an auto racing champion, sparking a high-stakes battle between tradition and personal ambition.

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Timeline & Setting – At Any Price (2013)
Explore the full timeline and setting of At Any Price (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The movie is set in contemporary times, reflecting current issues in agriculture, family dynamics, and the competitive world of racing. The portrayal of genetically modified seeds and local racing events highlights the ongoing debates in farming practices and sports culture.

Location

farm, racing track

The film primarily takes place on a family farm where the Whipple family conducts their seed business. This rural setting symbolizes the traditional agricultural lifestyle that Henry Whipple desperately tries to uphold, despite modern pressures. Additionally, the local racing track serves as a backdrop for Dean's aspirations and conflicts, representing both his desire for freedom and the dangers of reckless ambition.

🏡 Farm 🏁 Racing

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

Main Characters – At Any Price (2013)
Meet the key characters of At Any Price (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Henry Whipple (Clancy Brown)

Henry is an ambitious and manipulate farmer whose desire for success leads him into a web of deceit and betrayal. He is fiercely determined to teach his son the ruthless ways of the business, often prioritizing profit over family. His character reflects the moral complexities within the agricultural sector while facing the implications of his actions.

👨‍🌾 Father 💼 Ambitious 🔥 Deceitful

Dean Whipple (Zac Efron)

Dean, Henry's son, is torn between the expectations of his father's business legacy and his dreams of becoming a race car driver. Haunted by his choices and the impact of his father's actions, Dean's journey explores the struggle for self-identity amidst familial pressures. His character reflects youthful ambition shadowed by the consequences of betrayal.

🏎️ Ambitious 💔 Torn 😔 Vulnerable

Meredith Crown (Heather Graham)

Meredith is Henry Whipple's former love, whose affair with him intersects with the family’s strife. She embodies both longing and opportunism, complicating the dynamics of the Whipple family. Her interactions reveal the theme of betrayal and the constant tug between past relationships and current consequences.

💔 Affair 🌹 Former Love 😠 Complicated

Cadence Farrow (Kim Dickens)

Cadence is Dean's girlfriend, portrayed as a spirited country girl with a sharp mind. Her character represents resilience and the struggle for independence within a complicated relationship. Her eventual confrontation with Meredith highlights her strength but also her vulnerability when faced with betrayal.

🌻 Strong 💔 Betrayed 🌾 Country Girl

Jim Johnson (Clancy Brown)

Jim is Henry Whipple's fierce business rival who embodies the competitive spirit of the agricultural industry. His antagonistic relationship with Henry intensifies the narrative's conflict. Jim's character reflects the cutthroat nature of business and serves as a catalyst for Dean’s driving ambitions.

🤼 Rival 💪 Competitive

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

Major Themes – At Any Price (2013)
Explore the central themes of At Any Price (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme in 'At Any Price,' as multiple characters deceive one another, driven by ambition and self-interest. Henry's infidelity and Dean's affair signify the moral compromises they make, impacting their relationships. This theme deepens as Dean's choices lead to tragic consequences that fracture familial bonds.

🚗 Ambition

Ambition drives the characters, particularly seen through Dean's desire to escape his father's shadow and pursue racing. However, this pursuit often leads to reckless choices that jeopardize his future. The contrasting ambitions of Henry in the cutthroat seed market add layers to the narrative, illustrating the lengths individuals will go to achieve their dreams.

🌱 Legacy

The theme of legacy is woven throughout the film, examining the weight of family expectations and the struggle for independence. Dean grapples with inheriting his father's business mentality while yearning to forge his own path. The events that unfold ultimately blur the lines between legacy and personal identity, leaving lasting scars.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:39

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