State of Grace (1990)

A New York cop is recruited to return to his hometown and infiltrate the mob ran by his best friend's brother.

Directors:

Phil Joanou, Michael Lee Baron (co-director)

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
Michael Cambridge	...	Frankie's Man (as Brian Burke)
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:

bar | anger | betrayal | weeping | gang war | 

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Taglines:

A family ripped apart by violence. A love corrupted by betrayal. A friendship stained by blood.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

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

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,911,542

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinehaus,Orion Pictures,The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bill Pullman was originally cast as Frankie Flannery. He wasn't working out and was replaced by 'Ed Harris'.

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Goofs

Near the end of the film when Terry goes to Jackies apartment to tell him that he heard Frankie was involved in Stevies death, the Tequila bottle is on the window ledge on its side. After the scuffle between terry and Jackie, the Tequila bottle is upright.

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Quotes

Nick: Jesus Christ, I thought you Kitchen guys were tough guys.
Terry Noonan: We're not tough, Nick! We're just crazy.
Nick: You ain't either. You're a fuckin' crybaby.

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Connections

Referenced in Wu hu si hai (1992)

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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.