Review of State of Grace (1990) by Ben S — 14 Jan 2010

State of Grace is a gangster thriller that is about betrayal and that is carried greatly by its outstanding cast.

It is about Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) who returns home to Hell's Kitchen New York after going into hiding for 12 years after killing two men in a deal gone wrong. After reuniting with his best friend Jackie (gary Oldman) and his brother Frankie (Ed Harris) but he quickly realizes what things that Frankie has had to do to get to the position he is at now.

State of Grace doesnt have an amazing story but where the story lacks the cast makes up for it in a big way. with a crazily spontaneous performance from Gary oldman, as well as a great performance from Ed Harris as the older brother.

Sean Penn on the other hand who I usually love was good in this movie but he wasnt necessarilly great which is what this movie needed to escalate from just being good. but I dont completly blame him because the character he was given wasbnt really given enough room to grow into something better.

However State of Grace in the end is still a good film. a better than average story and a highly intense performance from Gary Oldman helps keep this movie very entertaining.