Unlike many modern "retired agent" films (think Taken ), Target spends significant time on the emotional fallout between father and son. Chris has to reconcile the boring dad he knew with the cold-blooded professional he sees in action.
Everything changes when Walter’s wife is kidnapped while on vacation in Paris. As Walter and Chris fly to Europe to find her, the "stodgy" father suddenly displays a lethal set of skills. Walter isn't just a lumber guy; he's a former CIA operative with a past that has finally caught up to him. Why It Still Works
Filmed across Hamburg and Paris, the movie uses its locations to build a genuine sense of international intrigue, avoiding the "studio backlot" feel of lesser 80s thrillers. Target (1985)
Are you interested in more or perhaps other films from director Arthur Penn ? Target (1985) - IMDb
While Target might lean into a few convenient coincidences or "incompetent bad guys," it remains an ambitious and intelligent thriller. It’s a solid piece of 80s filmmaking that prioritizes character just as much as its high-speed car chases. Unlike many modern "retired agent" films (think Taken
The story kicks off in a deceptively quiet Dallas suburb. Walter Lloyd (Hackman) is a seemingly ordinary lumberyard manager. His son, Chris (Dillon), views him as a "stodgy," overly cautious parent—a typical generational divide.
Rediscovering a Hidden Gem: Arthur Penn’s Target (1985) In the mid-80s, the spy thriller was undergoing a transformation. The flamboyant, gadget-heavy era of Bond was being challenged by grittier, more personal stories. Nestled right in the middle of this shift is (1985), a film that manages to be both a pulse-pounding European chase and a surprisingly tender father-son drama. As Walter and Chris fly to Europe to
Its script—revolving around a family man with a secret double life—prefigured the massive "secret agent dad" trend that would dominate the 2000s and 2010s. Final Verdict: Entertaining and Ambitious