State of Grace (1990) User Reviews (133)

Brutal and gritty gangster flick - hugely underrated!

[The_Void · 8/10 · 2 March 2006]

I'm shocked that I've been a film fan for many years, and have only just seen this gem! In a world where The Godfather and Goodfellas are at the top of most people's lists of favourites, it's hard to believe that a film as strong as State of Grace could be so criminally under seen. The film is about love, friendship and betrayal; and takes place in New York's infamous Hell's Kitchen. The fact that it was released in the same year as Martin Scorsese's more acclaimed 'Goodfellas' probably didn't do it many favours; but if you ask me, this is the better film. Boasting a strong cast, director Phil Joanou's film follows Irish-American Terry Noonan as he returns home after an absence of ten years. He soon hooks up with his old friends, including Jackie and his brother Frankie; who is now the head of the Irish mafia. However, it doesn't take long before Terry's rekindled relationship with his old friends and his new loyalties to another party become at odds with one another, and our hero soon finds himself torn between the two.

State of Grace has all the violence, foul language and hot-headed characters that are part and parcel of this sort of film; but at its core is a very well worked plot, bolstered by some great characterisation. The characters are the main focus point in this film, and it's through their motivations that the plot is allowed to move. A film that puts so much focus on its characters needs a strong cast in order to work, and this film certainly has that. Sean Penn takes the lead role and delivers an early version of the strong lead performance that would go on to earn him high praise from the critics. He is supported by the underrated Ed Harris, who grows on me more and more every time I see him, in the film's most level-headed role - but the real star of the show is Gary Oldman. This actor has the ability to completely steal any film that he's in, and he really does stand out here; delivering what is surely one of his all-time best performances. Familiar faces such as John Turturro, John C. Reilly and Robin Wright Penn do well; but it's the main trio that take home all the acting plaudits. Hell's Kitchen is beautifully brought to the screen in the most downtrodden manner possible, and the music and atmosphere combine with the shockingly realistic violence to ensure that the film is always gritty and unrelenting. State of Grace comes with high recommendations.

The Westies.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 20 November 2014]

State of Grace is directed by Phil Joanou and written by Dennis McIntyre. It stars Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright, John Turturo and John C. Reilly. Music is by Ennio Morricone and cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth.

Terry Noonan (Penn) returns to Hells Kitchen after a number of years away and finds his best pal, Jackie Flannery (Oldman), is a major player in the Irish/American mob being run by his elder brother, Frankie Flannery (Harris). With a love interest rekindled and a secret he dare not reveal, Terry is soon caught in a maelstrom of danger and tested loyalties.

It got lost in the slipstream of Goodfellas, but although it's not in the same league as Scorsese's critical darling, State of Grace is a splendid slice of neo-noir gangsterism. The plot is made up of standard genre tropes, divided loyalties, betrayals, kinship, revenge, rivalries, territorial machismo and etc, all of which of course comes laced with spitfire dialogue and sparky violence.

The strengths come with the performances of the lead cast members, the visual flourishes via Cronenweth and Joanou and Morricone's classical score. Penn and Oldman are forces of nature, the former a ball of emotional turbulence, the latter a hopped up maniac with killer tendencies. Harris as the daddio main man is a moody and malevolent presence, as is Joe Viterelli as mafia boss man Borelli. Wright seems a little out of place in this material, Turturo isn't used nearly enough, but Reilly scores well with a limited role and Burgess Meredith pops in for a superb cameo.

It doesn't have originality on its side, but it's a mightily strong film regardless, with the human drama drawing one in as the tech skills impress across the board. 8/10

Oldman was Ledgers inspiration

[M0n0_bogdan · 7/10 · 17 February 2023]

All the while as I was watching this, and especially during Gary Oldmans scenes...all I could see is Heath Ledgers inspiration for his Joker character. Sid Vicious is nothing next to Jackie. But I get why nobody talked about this movie...not now, not in the '90s. It came out at the same time as Goodfellas...it didn't stand a chance.

But man, Gary Oldman was all out. He really is one of the greats. And beside him so many other greats in this hidden gem from 30 years ago: Robin Wright, Ed Harris, Sean Penn, John Turturro, a young John C. Reilly. With a roster like this it really deserves a viewing. And the story in not bad either, it could have been tighter and a little more sophisticated but you can really follow it easily. Comparisons with Donnie Brasco and The Departed or Infernal Affairs are obvious but this one was before all of them. What does that tell you?

This is what happens when you have a great story but you don't have a great director. It is a forgotten film but remade by much better directors with a much tighter script, that is not so telegraphed.

Is there ANYTHING Gary Oldman can't do?

[fowler1 · 7 August 2000]

.....up to and maybe including walk on water? Oldman is so utterly and completely Jackie Flannery in this film, you might be tempted to dismiss his performance as 'playing to type'. Until you see this inspired chameleon's other work, where he IS Lee Harvey Oswald or TRUE ROMANCE's Drexl or Joe Orton or - tell you what, YOU pick the role. Oldman inhales, and the character he's portraying exhales. (And this is not to shortshrift the incredible work offered by Penn, Harris, Wright, Reilly and the rest of this film's ensemble.) It's disgraceful that Hollywood can't think of anything better to do with this brilliant and courageous actor these days than 'villain roles' in big-budget comic books like LOST IN SPACE, but when he's working with material commensurate to his skill, he's without peer. When an actor pushes himself like this, takes risks like this, you become aware that there can be no nobler profession. Gary Oldman may not be 'box office', and now and then he may even crash and burn...but when he flies, he soars higher than any performer presently working. For Pete's sake, see this movie and everything else he's done.

some great performances

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 18 April 2015]

Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) returns to Hell's Kitchen to find it gentrified. His old friend Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman) is still a lowlife killer. His ex Kathleen Flannery (Robin Wright) is now working in an uptown hotel. Their old brother Frankie Flannery (Ed Harris) is the cruel leader of an Irish gang. Stevie McGuire (John C. Reilly) is also in the gang. Pat Nicholson (R. D. Call) is Frankie's right hand man. Frankie kills nice kid Stevie. Terry turns out to be a cop and begging his handler Nick (John Turturro) to pull him out.

There are some strong performances. Gary Oldman is the standout as the wild criminal. Sean Penn pulls it back a little and form a perfect pair with Oldman. It may be better to reveal Terry sooner. It's best to do it at the end of the introduction. It opens up his inner conflict and allows for a deeper character. The music is memorable with the haunted tones.

Electrifying portrait of one man's battle with his own demons.

[Bladerunner• · 10/10 · 7 April 2007]

Once in a while a movie comes along that is a gift for an actor. It is like a golden opportunity that has been given to them, but there is a catch… they have to deliver. Three actors were given that opportunity in State of Grace: Ed Harris, Gary Oldman and Sean Penn. All three deliver performances that easily merit a Best Actor Oscar, but it is the chemistry between Penn and Oldman that issue forth true gold. Oldman completely and utterly loses himself in the role of Jackie Flannery, a small-time Irish gangster that happens to be the younger, impulsive, reckless brother of the head boss of the Irish mob in Hell's Kitchen, Frank Flannery. Frank is brokering a deal with the Italian Cosa Nostra that will result in a major windfall of money and power for the much smaller gang of Irish mobsters. Frank is one of the only people who seems to understand how important this deal is, while the rest of the gang bristles against the direction of the much more powerful and organized Mafia. Every time it looks like the deal will go through, some member of Frank's gang does something stupid to insult the Italians, and each time this happens Frank is called upon (by the Italians) to do their retribution upon his own people.

In the midst of this very dangerous situation enters Terry Noonan (Sean Penn), Jackie's best friend from childhood who is now a cop and undercover with the directive to do no less than take down Frank's entire gang. In the beginning Terry seems eager to do his job, but as the reality of what he must do comes crashing down he is torn between his love for his old friend, and his duty as a policeman. This is further complicated by the fact that Jackie's sister Kathleen (Robin Wright Penn) and Terry were childhood sweethearts. As Terry renews his relationship with both Jackie and Kathleen he begins to lose his identity and his soul as he is torn apart by the things he must do as a policeman, what he sees being done by Frank and his gang, and his deepening relationship with Kathleen.

Oldman delivers an explosive performance and he seems to become even more unhinged and unpredictable each moment that he and Penn spend together. The true beauty of his performance is the fact that we know how intelligent Oldman is; yet he is totally believable as this half-witted madman who is rushing towards his own demise. It is Penn though that has the heavy lifting to do, because he doesn't have the luxury of hiding behind the frenetic machinations that Oldman's character does. You actually feel pain as you watch Terry get in deeper and deeper, drinking more and more, sleeping less and less, losing his direction and his mind.

The music by Ennio Morricone is haunting, brooding and electrifying; perfectly suited to the evolving story on screen. As we watch Terry betray his friends and himself, it seems as if pieces of him actually float away, carried on the wings of Morricone's music. Robin Wright Penn also delivers as a young woman who is desperately trying to escape the mean streets of the Kitchen, the violent world of her brothers, and her meager upbringing. She also underestimated what being with Terry would mean, especially after learning Terry's true identity. She is sucked back into what she has tried so hard to become free of, and must watch as her family and Terry disintegrates.

The entire movie is set upon a collision course between Terry and Frank, and when they finally collide, director Phil Joanou films it almost like a dream sequence. The power of this film is how it manages to so vividly portray one man's attempt to finally confront his past and his own character flaws. All of us have demons and we promise and strive to finally confront them, but do we ever? Facing our fears is one thing, but the true measure of a person's character is how we perform when that fear stares into us, face to face. Here, Terry comes full circle and finally confronts the demons of his youth, and the showdown might cost his life.

Watch this film for the terrific performances of all the lead actors, for the fantastic music, the frenetic action, and the moving drama, but watch it also to ask yourself, what are your demons, when will you finally face them and what will happen when you do?

Overlong and not very original

[rc223 · 6/10 · 9 June 1999]

Incorporating aspects from every Mafia film you can think of, except the gangsters are Irish. Actually, they're supposed to be Irish, there's nothing really to distinguish them from all the hundreds of Italian gangsters over the years. Miles too long. Starts well then degenerates into endless male bonding. Ennio Morricone's score sounds like the Hovis advert. Is it too late to say I actually quite enjoyed this movie? (rating: **/*****)

Another SEVERELY Overlooked Film

[studiojudio · 10/10 · 14 July 1999]

Aside from being a great, dark film, with a substantial plot line and a GIANT cast (Oldman, Penn, and Harris), this is an Oldman performance not to be believed. Mr. Oldman himself has been quoted as saying that "State of Grace" is HIS favourite performance. And, as usual, he gives a performance to be equalled by none.

Sean Penn is marvelous, too, and Harris portrays evil incarnate.

This film should be re-evaluated, and Gary Oldman should have received the Oscar for it. His portrayal of Jackie Flannery, a wild, violent young gangster with an ethereal tender streak - is simply phenomenal.

A world of hotheads with diminutive names...and you gotta love it.

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 10 August 2022]

Phil Joanou's "State of Grace" had the misfortune of getting released around the same time as Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas", meaning that few people saw it. While it has similar qualities to Scorsese's movie, Joanou's movie is undeniably it's own thing.

Sean Penn plays a cop who returns to New York's Hell's Kitchen after having spent several years on the road. He hooks back up with his volatile friend (Gary Oldman) and inevitably gets involved in the latter's criminal activity.

A noticeable focus of the movie is gentrification. The movie got released just as gentrification was becoming widespread and turning the unique neighborhoods into miniature Disneylands. No surprise that the guys do some of the things that they do. And boy does the movie crank up the intensity!

Basically, the acting, direction, cinematography and score combine to form one of the most unique gangster movies out there. Nothing is idealized or glossed over here. It's the gritty straight stuff. Definitely worth seeing.

In addition to Penn and Oldman, the cast includes Robin Wright, Ed Harris, John Turturro, John C. Reilly, Burgess Meredith and Vincent Pastore. In other words, the movie stars Harvey Milk, Winston Churchill, Princess Buttercup, John McCain, the Jesus, Wreck-It Ralph, the Penguin and Pussy Bonpensiero.

Simply One of The Best Films Ever Made

[manfran4 · 10/10 · 12 October 2005]

The credits have just begun rolling on what has been my 7th full viewing of State of Grace. (This number doesn't count the times I've watched it after having missed some portion of the film.) I first saw this film as a rental some time around 1992, and it has not lost a bit of its relevance. It is nothing short of mesmerizing. Every time I watch it I'm pulled in completely. The performances are the reason this is one of my all-time favorite films. Gary Oldman was so convincing that I was surprised the first time I heard him speak in his native dialect. His performance in this film, as in virtually every film he's been in, was a thesis on acting. Sean Penn turned in a masterful performance that was complex and nuanced. And Ed Harris displayed his usual laser beam intensity. Everyone in this ensemble piece resonated perfectly to create this vivid story. I hope this film comes to be recognized as the classic I already believe it is.

Great and Realistic Mafia Movie!

[Juan_from_Bogota · 7/10 · 12 May 2007]

In this great mafia movie, i was really impressed with the realism of the scenes, is well shown in the movie all the previous research about the lives, behaviors and methods of some gangs in the U.S.; while i was watching the film i felt like watching real crime scenes in New York! that was great!. Gary Oldman is definitely a great actor for this type of characters; he was the one i liked most; good friend, good and risky mafia boy and good brother, and with some alcohol problems, he performed this character with perfect domination of the role. Sean Penn was great and he feels totally as one of the people of the real Irish mafia!; dark scenes, a great casting and realism is what this good movie have to offer. I didn't like of the film, that sometimes it cuts from scene to scene quickly showing different parts of the whole story that for a good part of the film you can't understand, this spaces are somewhat long and i got bored like at the middle of the film. But fortunately the movie restore it's pace and conclude in a excellent and thrilling way.

ABOUT THE FILM: Sean Penn is Terry Noonan a guy involved with some obscure business and people who after an incident with drugs, returns to New York where he join his old gang of Irish in New York after ten years, he met with his old great friend Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman) and his ex girlfriend Kathleen Flannery (Robin Wright), the Flannery brothers are a Irish family that dominate the mafia business in the area and are leaded by Frankie Flannery (Ed Harris). When Terry join the group, he meet some other old friends like Stevie McGuire (John C. Reilly), and other important bosses of the mafia and extortion like Borelli (Joe Viterelli), dark interest start to rise in the gangs, where Terry plays an important role, Terry's interest start to be uncovered trough the film showing incredible events that make the film a great one. John Turturro as Nick plays also a great role.

7/10! for this good movie directed by Phil Joanou.

Unknown masterpiece

[slightx · 10/10 · 4 October 2000]

Yeah, I love this film. Ever since I saw it at a preview screening, this has been one of my favorites. I said then Gary Oldman should get nominated for Best Supporting Actor and he should have been, except nobody saw this movie, probably because Orion didn't promote this movie at all. All of the leads are awesome. Sean Penn is so messed up and confused, and the hints that he's having trouble with all the drinking are a nice touch. Ed Harris does so much with so little. There's one scene where you can almost see him literally blow his top. By the end, the effects of each different subplot can be seen on each other, all coming together for one climactic moment. And the ending--I get chills from the music. See this movie. Then tell everyone you know.

A superior gangster pot-boiler with a good cast

[Pedro_H · 7/10 · 7 March 2004]

* Spoilers *

An undercover cop has to infiltrate an Irish gang operating out of New York, but finds he is getting in well over his head.

Those looking for something new in the world of cinema will be disappointed coming to this movie, because we have all been here before. But, while acknowledging the fact, this isn't at all bad. Indeed it has lots of good "street" actors giving it their best shot and a script with something to do and somewhere to go.

Gary Oldman is a very underrated actor. Having come from small parts in UK soap opera to starring in Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula in the space of a few short years. His performance as Sid Vicious in Sid & Nancy is almost frightening in its accuracy and depth. Here he plays a greasy haired loose cannon about to off the deep end.

Going through any of the plot would be a sin because there is not a great deal to get your teeth in to here. The atmosphere of street life is well captured and in Oldman, Sean Penn and Ed Harris (as the big boss) you have top quality actors that can do this kind of stuff in their sleep.

The end is a spaghetti-western style let down. It looks tacked-on to give a "rousing climax" - when it didn't really need one to succeed.

I like life-on-street movies and I like gangster films, that is why I give this a "seven." If you take away one of the "likes" then I would class it more like a "six." A time-passing thriller that deserved to get more attention than it did and far better than many more lauded gangster-go-rounds.

A mess

[Groverdox · 5/10 · 7 March 2019]

"State of Grace" is one of those movies that feels like it doesn't deserve the performances it features. Obviously, Gary Oldman in psycho mode is always worth the price of admission, but "State of Grace" also has Sean Penn going through the emotional wringer, and Robin Wright, Ed Harris, and an early role from John C. Reilly.

But the movie itself is kind of lame. It's nothing we haven't seen before, and done better. There are violent moments that just feel tacked on because the movie requires them, particularly a moronic shoot-out sequence at the end of the movie that is more far-fetched than anything you'd see in a John Woo flick.

There is also a secret, that didn't exactly surprise me, about the main character, that actually just felt unnecessary and stupid - particularly in light of the aforementioned ending.

I'm not surprised that the filmmaker and screenwriter never really went on to anything else. The movie is a mess, one of those flicks where you can only tell what's going on because you are so familiar with the cliches it trots out.

One of the best. And DeNiro's not in it.

[Mr Parker · 30 July 1999]

Simply put, this movie is perfect. I live in NYC and the general air of it is caught perfectly on film. The people, the places, everything. I especially like the bluish tint used over a lot of the film. It definitely adds to the mood. The performances are incredible, even Burgess Meredith in the couple of minutes that he has onscreen. Sean Penn and Ed Harris together create an unbelievable amount of tension. I have to give them both kudos and especially Robin Wright, who turns in an excellent performance as the frustrated love interest who's connection to the life follows her no matter how far uptown she moves. No surprise when I say that Gary Oldman takes the cake for this one. He manages to outshine everyone around him, just like he did in the Professional. His performance is the driving force behind this movie and it is worth watching just to catch this legend in the making in one of his earlier roles. I cannot find one flaw in this movie and the slow motion finale is among the top five ending sequences ever. Every viewing reveals something else, something to make you appreciate this film even more. Catch this one if you haven't seen it, you won't be disappointed. My only regret is that I didn't see it while it was in theatrical release. One of the best gangster flicks, period. Rating: ***** out of *****.

Wannabe classic

[imseeg · 6/10 · 26 April 2018]

I cant really criticize this movie besides the fact that it is aiming to be a crime classic, but fails at it. Besides that, everything is done with style: photography, acting, soundtrack, they are all to be commended. Good acting, gorgeous photograhpy, but what is lacking is greatness. I think director Phil Joanou is to blame for that. Somehow he mixed the perfect ingredients the wrong way. It is always tricky to mix a lovestory with a crimestory. Somehow it didnt work for me. It wanted to be a tough gangstermovie, but it wanted to portray a lovestory too. The endresult is that it is neither.

Believability is paramount: I have to be able to see the actors perform real life characters in a way that I can believe in. And somehow Sean Penn's undercover role just wasnt very believable because of the context of the story: an undercover cop who infiltrates a crimescene consisting of childhood friends. Naah, that just spoils the believability for me. The flaws in credibility of the story really ruined this picture.

Acting is great though. Oldman played his usual hysterical maniac. Brilliant. But Penn's role shrunk to the size of a peanut compared to the power of Oldman. And Robin Wright was mostly there to be pretty, which she was. She can act too, but her role wasnt very believable in the context of the story either.

It could have been a much better movie with some better direction and adaptations to the credibility of the story. Still I watched it till the end, because it is certainly not a bad movie. It is a movie that could have been a classic, but failed at that. Nothing more frustrating though than third place when you are aiming for first. Come to think of it this movie is typical of many Sean Penn movies: style over content. He looks the part, but is a buffoon.

A genre classic.

[Panterken · 9/10 · 11 March 2008]

'State Of Grace' is a well-crafted gangster film from start to finish. From the appropriate saint-paddy's day parade opening-scene to the legendary parallel montage in the end, and everything in between. A fairly lengthy film, SOG never bores but sucks you in and though it doesn't stray far away from the basic gangster genre plot lines and characters, it's got a very own feel to it. This is due to the great Morricone score and the witty dialog, SOG is hilarious at times but overall takes itself seriously. Morricone's soundtracks are legendary for a reason and though this is certainly not one of his best, it does add a lot of class to the picture. I'm sure many of you will agree that the music is very reminiscent of his work in The Untouchables and even more so his work in Once Upon A Time In America (the greatest thing Leone has ever accomplished). The recurring theme always stirred up feelings of nostalgia and a melancholious sadness with me, it quickly gets under your skin and stays there for the rest of the movie. It goes well with the themes of hearth ship and longing for the happiness of youth often appearing in the script.

State Of Grace isn't just a run in the mill gangster movie with a memorable score. The comparison with other genre classics, especially 'The Departed' is unavoidable, and this may just be the right-after-credits-exhilaration (I'm sure you know what I mean) speaking but in my very humble opinion it simply outclasses Scorsese's latest baby. A huge factor here is the cast; Oldman delivers a knock-out-of-the-park performance as the greasy-haired nut case gangster and both Penn and Harris are memorable too. Being a huge Penn and Oldman fan, I can't believe I didn't discover this film sooner. Torturror's role is small so fans, don't get too excited when you see his name.

State of Grace is definitely a genre movie, but not 'just' a genre movie. It belongs to the top of the cream and should be recognized for it.

9/10

Not Perfect, but pretty Solid

[dallasryan · 7/10 · 13 June 2018]

Overall this is a pretty good film. Sean Penn really nails the character and Robin Wright and Gary Oldman are exceptional as well.

But the real reason this movie works and the acting meshes well is because of the exquisite music score by the great genius of Ennio Morricone (which I'm glad he finally got his much deserved oscar for The Hateful Eight). The score of this movie is so beautiful and interweaves masterfully with the film.

State of Grace would not have been the film it was without Ennio Morricone's magnificent score and it's a score that you will want to listen to over and over after the film has ended.

Worth the watch for the Score and Acting.

St. Patricks day massacre

[leperish · 9/10 · 10 August 2005]

Here is a movie I've been a fan of since it's release in 1990. Gary Oldman is the gem of this film. He plays a long-haired Irish-American thug in New York's Hells Kitchen, employed by an Irish mob headed by his brother played by Ed Harris. This group is backed by the Italian Mafia, and Ed Harris's character is always trying to impress the Mob Chiefton. Sean Penn plays Gary Oldmans child-hood friend and fellow gangster, who left town one day years ago without notice. Now he's back, and welcomed heartily. Without question, he is accepted back into the gang, and put to work. Only problem is, when he left, he went to Boston to become a cop, and now he's undercover and infiltrating his old friends.

A tale of loyalty, betrayal, and murder, done with a style befitting a New York gangster flick. And for Irish-Americans such as myself, it's a great movie to drink to on St. Patty's. This is a good film with a solid cast full of action and drunken Irishmen which leads to one of the best endings to any movie ever; a bar room shoot-out with New York's St. Patrick Day parade as the back drop.

If this movie had a flavor, It would taste like whiskey. Speaking of whiskey, I have been celebrating St Patricks day every year since '95 by downing several glasses of Jameson, and viewing STATE OF GRACE.----now thats Irish.

The most underrated Gangster flick of all time! (very little spoilers)

[Dragonsouls · 7/10 · 1 March 2002]

Why isn't STATE OF GRACE mentioned in the same breath as SCARFACE, GOODFELLAS, CARLITO'S WAY, THE MEAN STREETS, THE GODFATHER...etc. A Masterpiece in my opinion. First off the plot. I thought it was rare and very original. Since when do we ever get to see a movie about the Irish Mob? The characters? you care about them. The reason is because of the top notch acting by Harris, Penn, and especially Oldman. Gary Oldman was phenomenal in this movie. If your a fan of any of these three actor's and you enjoy gangster movies, with plenty of plot twists. GO SEE THIS MOVIE!! DON'T RENT IT, BUY IT!! I just saw it myself for the first time, and it came out 12 years ago! I can't believe I never heard of this movie.

(small spoiler)

The ending is so good, that my jaw was on the floor when Sean Penn and Ed Harris talk at the funeral. INTENSE SCENE!!

The final shootout is one of the best I have ever seen. The effects of the bullet wound's in this movie are the most realistic I have ever seen as well. **** 4 stars!

Searing gangster epic

[NateWatchesCoolMovies · 10/10 · 10 June 2017]

Phil Joanou's State Of Grace had the unfortunate luck of being released in 1990, the same year that also saw Scorsese's Goodfellas and the third Godfather film. It's hard to gain your footing when that kind of momentum is surging about, but this film is as good as the others, and deserves recognition or at least some kind of re-release. Set in the blistering inferno of Hell's Kitchen, NYC, it's a violent tale of Irish Mobsters, undercover cops, betrayal and murder, set to a smoky, mournful Ennio Morricone score that lingers in the air like smog. Sean Penn is Terry Noonan, a deep cover operative who returns to his childhood neighbourhood to reconnect with old friends, and dig up buried grudges. Ed Harris is Frankie Flannery, ruthless gangster and former ally, while Gary Oldman plays his hotheaded brother Jackie with a tank full of nitrous and the kind of unpredictable, dynamite fuse potency one expects to see from a David Lynch character. The three of them are on a collision course set in the grimy streets of New York, bound by old loyalties yet destined to clash and draw new blood. Penn shares the screen with his once wife Robin Wright here, looking lovely as ever. There's also supporting turns from John Turturro, John C. Reilly, R.D. Call, a geriatric Burgess Meredith and an unbilled cameo from James Russo. Penn, Harris and especially Oldman are like flint sparks, a trio that won't be stopped and light up the screen for a spellbinding, visceral two hours until their eventual confrontation, hauntingly shot by cinematographer " in the midst of a bustling St. Patrick's Day parade. This one has been somewhat lost to the ages, like a number of other stellar crime dramas I can think of from the nineties. The cast, score and Joanou's thoughtful direction make it an unforgettable piece of work.

Good, but dated

[ginocox-206-336968 · 6/10 · 17 October 2017]

"State of Grace" is not one of those films that I would consider ageless or that seem to mellow with age, like "Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo" or "2001: A Space Odyssey." It has an impressive roster of talented actors in early roles, but that may be a two-edged sword, as viewed for the first time in 2017, they serve as constant reminders of how old the film really is. By contemporary standards, the pace seems slow, with too much emotion and not enough action. It lacks the eye candy of contemporary films, such as elaborate fights, pyrotechnics, white-knuckle car chases, parkour acrobatics, etc. The gun battles seem of the caliber of episodic television series, at least until the final slow-mo scene. After cruising along in second gear for nearly two hours, the climax seems rushed, propelled by new information from who knows where. The fade-out as denouement leaves the audience uncertain, not only as to the fate of several principal characters, but also as to the meaning of it all. What lesson did the protagonist learn and what insight is the audience supposed to take away and apply to their own lives?

While the film is definitely worth viewing, I also felt somehow disappointed. Yes, filmmakers needed to go there to get to where they are now, but it would have been so much better if they could have somehow jumped ahead a quarter of a century and adopted contemporary techniques.

The most underrated gangster film ever?

[supernova_painkiller · 10/10 · 24 March 2013]

Just after watching this movie, I thought "How could I never heard of this one before?".

This movie is awesome! With a great plot, great performances and casting. We have here one of Gary Oldman's finest performances. We can just blame the time of its release, that came along with Goodfellas and The Godfather Part III. But I tell you, this movie is far better than many gangster movies I have seen that are very respect, I won't tell names, but it is.

Don't believe this IMDb rating, this movie is easily one of the best of its genre ever made.

Could have been so much better

[burtandivy · 7/10 · 7 August 2007]

Great performances ... everywhere ... the script was awful ... Stevie was in two scenes and all the sudden we're to expect that Jackie would give everything for him? No smart boss would ever get his hands dirty and kill a lowly soldier like Stevie. Get a fn' clue. Ed Harris was the biggest posse boss I've ever seen .. backbone please? Penn was fine. But Oldham stole the show. Irish muscle? Sean Penn couldn't ever be Irish muscle unless he grows 10 inches to five foot. I myself am Irish and I am 6 foot and 215 lbs. I eat too much fried food, but I write brilliantly .. my buddy Rory says he's gonna get me a gig writing gags for a TV show starring Todd Bridges and Jill Whelan, I don;t know who I feel worse for.

The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight

[JoeyGreen · 1/10 · 6 May 2008]

Sean Penn and Gary Oldman normally chew up the scenery but both give mediocre performances in this turkey. There are so many things wrong -- weak script, bad directing, lousy editing, etc -- that one is hard-pressed to find any redeeming value or even a shred of interest in characters, plot or the silly shootout denouement.

As I watched, I was reminded of The Departed -- another Irish mob flick by Scorcese that had its moments but also had unintentional laughs at the wrong places. Won't go there, except that one at least deserve 5 or 6 stars.

First off, Oldman, who plays psychos better than most, is way over the top in this flick. His burst of anger at being told that his brother might have capped Stevie tested credibility, to say the least. Ed Harris, the indecisive, wimpy mob boss, commanded no respect and couldn't keep his boys in line, including Oldman who basically gave him the finger for most of the movie. The scene in the church was ridiculous as well. Harris vs. the Italian boss was a mismatch and it was actually funny to see Ed squirm while the gang argued about whether to do a multi-whacking.

Robin Wright as the love interest was wasted. Penn looked lost and the rest of the cast was uninspiring. And when he showed his badge to Ed Harris, you'd think he'd get clipped right there and then, but no -- wait -- gotta build tension for the big stupid finish.

As for the final shootout, it reminded me of Charlie Bronson, who was able to dodge bullets left and right in the Death Wish sequels simply by crouching to one knee. Only in this case, Penn hardly moves except for a few maneuvers a la our old friend Charlie. Harris empties his cannon, and misses him by a mile, though he manages to wing him while Sean gets off several shots that hit their marks, dropping wise guys left and right. Fadeout with a bleeding Penn staring into the lens...

And everyone wonders why box office receipts are down and modern movies can't hold a candle to the great flicks of the past.