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.

This is one crime film, you could easily pass by, BUT SHOULDN'T. See, how I emphasized those last two words, as this unjustly didn't get a cinema release. Like many other pics, beautifully played masterpieces like this one are ones, are ones you can't afford to miss, as they are right up with the others, like that brilliant Men Of Respect. SOG I guess is a more low key gangster film, cause of it's miss at the cinema, where thanks to this, I guess there's a modest brilliance about the film. Terry Noonan, a cop with a shady past has returned to Hell's Kitchen, greeted by his childhood friend and thug, Jackie (Oldman in just another versatile showcase of acting) Jackie, a real hot head, high strung guy, is part of a mob, headed by his older brother Frank, (Ed Harris), who run extortion and protection rackets. Of course, Noonan has a purpose here, as Jackie and Frank, are oblivious to Penn's new role, so he has to blend in as a thug, while also getting romantically involved with the sister (Robin Wright Penn). Also part of Frankie's crew is a much lesser known John C Reilly, playing a kind of wuzz, chicken s..t, vulnerable character like that in Casualties Of War, years earlier, also starring Penn. You'll like SOG for many reasons: Sean Penn, the coolness and stylish flow of story, and it's pull no punches violence, the last ten minutes, one of the most violent shootout finales I've seen, still branded in memory, with some strong stomach stuff. This scene puts the C in cool, where we cut back and forth to a street parade, through this sequence. SOG is really scary in part, and has some dangerous moments, as far as Penn's welfare, is concerned, and some others you might say, as Harris's character is no dummy. Always thought that was James Russo near the start, telling a personal story, involving animal welfare. An actor's voice you never forget. The film does pop in a surprise too, as far as Turturro's character goes. On the whole SOG is exciting, great quality entertainment, with a story and performances that set the bar high, if not other times they're shooting bars up or torching them. Check out Penn's monologue, giving reference to the film's title.

This movie somehow escaped me until 2012, but after seeing it now for the first time I am surprised it is not mentioned in the same breadth as so many of the other gangster/NYC classics. Hard hitting, jarring, raw and real...Gary Oldman delivers a performance with remarkable energy and emotion. The range from this performance to what he has recently done with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, has cemented in my mind that he is one of our generations best actors! Aside from Mr. Oldman the film contains many other fine performances from great actors such as Ed Harris, Sean Pean, Robin Wright, Burgess Meredith, John C. Riley, and was directed by Phil Jonou. Don't miss this movie!

Finding and watching "State of Grace", a more-or-less standard story of a crime drama set in all places of New York was actually surprisingly delightful. The story takes a back-seat to a great group of actors and a no-nonsense script. The music has sort of a noir-ish tinge, and there's a lot of late eighties New York scenery, but thanks to a younger crowd of solid actors including Harris, Penn, Tuturro, and most especially Gary Oldman, this movie keeps it moving and is never really dull. The opening setup and closing bravado were effective and well-done, and the clash of situations felt tense. On the whole, only the love relationship didn't quite work in the movie. While this may be where Penn and Wright met (assuming), the script doesn't seem to know what to do with the Wright character, "Kate". Still it's a movie I hadn't heard of and found just browsing. A good movie, better than many and Recommended.