STATE OF GRACE
(director: Phil Joanou; screenwriter: Dennis McIntyre; cinematographer: Jordan Cronenweth; editor: Claire Simpson; music: Ennio Morricone; cast: Sean Penn (Terry Noonan), Ed Harris (Frankie), Gary Oldman (Jackie Flannery), Robin Wright (Kathleen), John Turturro (Nick), John C. Reilly (Stevie), Burgess Meredith (Finn); Runtime: 130; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Ned Dowd, Randy Ostrow, Ron Rotholz; Orion; 1990)
“A well-acted, lyrically written and solid thriller.”
Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz
Phil Joanou (“The Veil”/”Gridiron Gang”) directs this crime drama set in Manhattan’s Hell Kitchen in the 1970s (the neighborhood in modern times was gentrified and now goes by the name of Clinton).
It’s about the downfall of a violent low-level Irish-American gang (based on a true story of the gang, as verified in newspaper coverage). It’s written by the late playwright Dennis McIntyre-he died soon after the film was released. Playwright David Rabe is not credited for adding dialogue to the screenplay. It was released around the same time as Martin Scorsese’s same-themed “Goodfellas,” and is the lesser in quality of the two. But it never got enough recognition from the public for being such a well-acted, lyrically written and solid thriller.
Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) returns to his Hell’s Kitchen roots after being on the road for a decade in places like Oklahoma. He embraces his volatile gang-banger best childhood pal, Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman), in a dive neighborhood saloon. Jackie’s older brother Frankie (Ed Harris) is the hard-nosed leader of Jackie’s tough Irish gang called the Westies. Frankie now resides in the New Jersey suburbs, while Jackie still resides in the neighborhood. Their sister Kathleen (Robin Wright) used to go out with Terry. She now lives uptown and works as a clerk for a Park Avenue hotel, separating herself from her gang family even as she reunites with Terry.
Spoiler in next paragraph.
The gang is in the drug business, and is known for its savage hits. The over-the-top performance of Oldham is filled with the raw energy of a crazy man, while Penn (into Method acting) is the more complex character who is hiding that he’s an undercover cop.
The Westies have been weakened over the years and now must parlay with the Italian Mafia on Little Italy’s Mott Street to survive.
Joanou ends the film with an allegorical slo-mo showdown gang fight, that happens on the day of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
The story moves away from being an original character study, as its plot becomes familiar like other ordinary gangster films. But that’s not to say the pic doesn’t have much going on to make it a keeper. I saw it 35 years ago and still enjoyed watching it again.
REVIEWED ON 4/8/2025 GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com