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From Amazon.co.uk
Overshadowed by GoodFellas when it was released in 1990, State of Grace gradually emerged as one of the best New York gangster films of its decade. It was also the first to feature the Irish American mob known as the Westies. Here, their territory west of Times Square is being gentrified by an unwelcome infusion of yuppie cash, squeezing them into a reluctant alliance with Mafia kingpins. Frankie (Ed Harris) is the boss; little brother Jackie (Gary Oldman) is his volatile muscle; their friend Terry (Sean Penn) has returned from an extended absence, harbouring a dangerous secret while rekindling his love for Frankie and Jackie's sister Kathleen (Robin Wright, Penn's future wife). Giving one of his scariest, most violent performances, Oldman offers stark, brutal contrast to Harris's pent-up fury, while Penn breathes life into his character's standard-issue dilemma. A former protégé of Steven Spielberg's, director Phil Joanou handles this gritty potboiler with confident, unobtrusive style, ramping up the tension of divided loyalties, even as the plot grows increasingly familiar. --Jeff Shannon
Product Description
Irish-American Terry (Sean Penn) returns to his old neighbourhood, after a mysterious absence. He is reunited with his childhood friend Jackie (Gary Oldman), now working in arson and extortion rackets, but a possible alliance with an Italian mob brings trouble for Terry's friends, and Terry himself might not be all he says he is. Based on a real-life New York gang, The Westies, who ruled 'Hell's Kitchen' during the 1970s.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
State of Grace is filmaking at its finest- a beautiful modern drama with superb performances.
The protagonist, Sean Penn as Terry Noonan, is looking to face his past in Hell's Kitchen and do his duty as an undercover police officer-only to find out that he will have to harm people he grew up with and love him.He soon meets and bonds with his best friend, Jackie Flannery (one of Gary Oldman's most beautiful performances-and his personal favourite), who is working for his brother Frank (Ed Harris),the boss of the Irish mafia, and his Jackie's sister Kathleen who was his first love. Soon, he will discover that it he cannot easily turn on his own people, especially not Jackie who, despite his drinking and his violent, borderline paranoid character, sees him as a friend and trusts him immediately.
Director Phil Joanou has created a beautiful film that relies on a good, heart-felt story, and excellent acting from all the protagonists. The absolute highlight of this movie is Gary Oldman, whose presence lights up every scene he is in. As Jackie Flannery he is constantly drunk and in need of a shower, yet incredibly human and looking for affection and the approval of his older brother.
I loved the film when I first saw it, and was just as impressed now that I got to see it again on DVD.It feels real and honest.The only drawback of this edition is its Spartan menu,featuring only a trailer but that may have to do with the film being made back in 1990... Appart from that it is an absolute must for movie lovers.
The protagonist, Sean Penn as Terry Noonan, is looking to face his past in Hell's Kitchen and do his duty as an undercover police officer-only to find out that he will have to harm people he grew up with and love him.He soon meets and bonds with his best friend, Jackie Flannery (one of Gary Oldman's most beautiful performances-and his personal favourite), who is working for his brother Frank (Ed Harris),the boss of the Irish mafia, and his Jackie's sister Kathleen who was his first love. Soon, he will discover that it he cannot easily turn on his own people, especially not Jackie who, despite his drinking and his violent, borderline paranoid character, sees him as a friend and trusts him immediately.
Director Phil Joanou has created a beautiful film that relies on a good, heart-felt story, and excellent acting from all the protagonists. The absolute highlight of this movie is Gary Oldman, whose presence lights up every scene he is in. As Jackie Flannery he is constantly drunk and in need of a shower, yet incredibly human and looking for affection and the approval of his older brother.
I loved the film when I first saw it, and was just as impressed now that I got to see it again on DVD.It feels real and honest.The only drawback of this edition is its Spartan menu,featuring only a trailer but that may have to do with the film being made back in 1990... Appart from that it is an absolute must for movie lovers.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By tom
Format:DVD
First saw this film on long term absense from work years ago. I'd just about seen every film in my local video store and what attracted me was the cast and the fact it was a gangster film. Say no more. I was tempted and took a chance - what a choice!
It'a fair to say that the themes of this film are set in stone yet what the last reviewer fails to say is how thrilling the plot is. I was hooked. If you can accept that films about street level hoods and mob based crime have long been the norm since the Godfather then you can focus on the plot details rather than pointing out the cliches.
I will say no more about the plot than it follows Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) returning to his old neighboorhood wher he hooks up with his old pal Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman) and becomes involved with Jackie's bro Frankie's (Ed Harris) mob who rule over Hell's Kitchen.
It is a brutally violent film yet no matter how repulsive the actions of each character become (watch Gary Oldman wipe out a couple of drinking hoods with no remorse if you know what I mean) you find yourself rooting for them.
The central trio of actors are as good as they've ever been and are supported by a collection of underratedactors - John C Reilly, John Turturro to name a few. Gary Oldman and Sean Penn are the two that bind the film together yet it is Ed Harris that holds the attention, he is repulsive yet vunerable in his scenes with his boss leading the viewer to empathise with his crucial decision.
I have recommended this film to many friends who would never have seen it otherwise and they all agree that it kicks arse! If you are a fan of filma such as Mean Streets, Donnie Brasco, King Of New York and (of course) Goodfellas then give this one a try as I feel it is truly underrated and deserves to sit alongside those afore mentioned.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film has to be the best kept cinematic secret ever. When you look at the cast I dont know how it slipped under the radar, gritty hells kitchen crime film. Must see !
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blu-ray review
Despite a few flecks during the naturally grainy intro close-up shots, this is a pretty good and natural looking BD transfer for a 1990 film. No 5. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Coastal J
5.0 out of 5 stars
State of Grace terrific
I just received it a couple of days ago and its just like I remember it years ago, I am a fan of Gary Oldman very talented actor with a broad accent and dialect range, excellent... Read more
Published 2 months ago by paula ann pratt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent movie - worth a watch
This is a decent movie, good story line, Ed Harris, not sure he was the right selection to be boss but Sean Penn great stuff as usual and Gary Oldman puts in a quality performance,... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Dtizda1
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good gangster movie
One cannot expect TOO much from a gangster movie, but this is a good one nevertheless. The plot is not that original (ex naughty boy returns to his mob as undercover agent after 12... Read more
Published 23 months ago by F. Panin
2.0 out of 5 stars
Misfire that does not improve with time
When it comes to Irish gangster movies, 'State of Grace' is pretty much at the bottom of the heap, which is not to say it does not have redeeming features. Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by Kentspur
5.0 out of 5 stars
State of Grace
Based loosley on the imfamous Westies irish gang in new york. A gem of a movie
never got the credit it deserves, which makes it a hidden gem. Read more
never got the credit it deserves, which makes it a hidden gem. Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2009 by J. Murray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lesser known classic
I remember watching this film time after time when it first came out on video.... tried to get a copy on DVD but couldn't , so I was ecstatic when I managed to get one... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2009 by A. Alcock
1.0 out of 5 stars
Almost a masterpiece??
Consider the idea: Make a ganster movie with brillinat actors such as Ed harris, Gary Oldman, Sean Penn, John Tutorro etc, music by Ennio Morricone, cinematography by J. Read more
Published on 16 April 2008 by Billy Ray Cyrus
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gary Oldman. Nuff Said
Here is one of thoes fils that you will catch the back end of on late night TV, and think to yourself "wow that was a great ending, I must remember what its called so I can watch... Read more
Published on 12 April 2007 by Matthew Doran
4.0 out of 5 stars
You MUST watch this..
Great movie starring Ed Harris,Sean Penn, Gary Oldman and others.Basically about Irish gang life in the US with Gary Oldman and Sean Penn being good friends from way back who have... Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2004 by nchapman
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