State of Grace (1990)

Terry Noonan returns home to New York's Hells Kitchen after a ten year absence. He soon hooks up with childhood pal Jackie who is involved in the Irish mob run by his brother Frankie. Terry... See full summary »

Director:

Phil Joanou

Writer:

Dennis McIntyre

Stars:

Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Gary Oldman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Penn	...	Terry Noonan
Ed Harris	...	Frankie Flannery
Gary Oldman	...	Jackie Flannery
Robin Wright	...	Kathleen Flannery
John Turturro	...	Nick
Burgess Meredith	...	Finn
R.D. Call	...	Pat Nicholson, Frankie's Lieutenant
Joe Viterelli	...	Borelli
John C. Reilly	...	Stevie McGuire
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Irene
Marco St. John	...	Jimmy Cavello
Thomas G. Waites	...	Frankie's Man
Brian Burke	...	Frankie's Man
Michael Cumpsty	...	Frankie's Man
Mick Cunningham	...	Frankie's Man (as Michael Cunningham)

Storyline

Terry Noonan returns home to New York's Hells Kitchen after a ten year absence. He soon hooks up with childhood pal Jackie who is involved in the Irish mob run by his brother Frankie. Terry also rekindles an old flame with Jackie's sister Kathleen. Soon, however, Terry is torn between his loyalty to his friends and his loyalties to others.

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Plot Keywords:

irish | irish mob | massacre | gun sau | slow motion scene | 

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Taglines:

The Irish mob in Hell's Kitchen.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Im Vorhof der Hölle

Filming Locations:

Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$1,911,542 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinehaus, Orion Pictures Corporation, Rank Organisation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene where Jackie introduces his girlfriend to Terry, music by the band 'U2' can be heard playing in the background. Director Phil Joanou previously directed their live concert film U2: Rattle and Hum and, later, their music video for the single "One."

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Goofs

The NY State vehicle registration and inspection stickers disappear and reappear from the driver's side of Jack's windshield; these would not be absent from any car legally registered in NY.

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Quotes

Jackie Flannery: It's as if Angels were flying by so they dropped him off.

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'Interstate 60' (2003)

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Soundtracks

"White City"
Written by Shane MacGowan
Performed by The Pogues
Published by Stiff Music Limited.
Courtesy of Island Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Another SEVERELY Overlooked Film

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.