Movies - State of Grace

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	Movies - State of Grace

State of Grace is a neo-noir crime film released in 1990. It was directed by Phil Joanou.

In the film the "Westies" are Irish-American gangsters operating from the part of New York City which is west of Times Square, known as Hell's Kitchen. When their territory is threatened by gentrification, the boss, Frankie Flannery (Ed Harris) tries to arrange an alliance with the Italian Mafia, their long-time rivals.

Frankie welcomes back Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) to the neighborhood and into his organization after a long absence. Unknown to the gang, however, during his time away, Terry has become a police officer in Boston, and has been brought back to New York specifically to go undercover in his old neighborhood and bring down the Irish gangsters before they strike a deal with the Italians.

Actor Gary Oldman gives a scary, violent performance, and offers a stark, brutal contrast to Harris's pent-up fury.

Observations

The film was generally well received by film critics. Jeff Shannon with the Seattle Times said, "A former protégé of Steven Spielberg's, director Phil Joanou handles this gritty potboiler with confident, unobtrusive style, ramping up the tension of divided loyalties..."

Quotes

Terry Noonan: So we're like Robin Hood in this instance? Jackie Flannery: Yea and I'm Friar F#@k.
Terry: You believe in the Angels, or the saints. And you believe it, but it hasn't anything to do with reality
Jackie Flannery: Hey. I love the noises she's makes in bed. Terry: yeah... me too!
Jackie Flannery: It's as if Angels were flying by so they dropped him off.
Frankie: She thinks I'm an asshole. And if she thinks that about me, what in the long run is she going to think about you?

Taglines

The Irish Mob in New York.

Trivia

The year 1990 was huge for mobs films in Hollywood. They include: Miller's Crossing
, Goodfellas
, and the Godfather Part III which was nominated for Best Picture by the Academy Awards.
In the scene where Jackie introduces his girlfriend to Terry, music by the band U2 can be heard playing in the soundtrack (background). Director Phil Joanou previously directed U2's live concert film U2: Rattle and Hum (1988) and, later, their music video for the single "One."

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Movies - State of Grace

Observations

Quotes

Taglines

Trivia

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