State of Grace

A powerhouse cast, including Sean Penn, Gary Oldman, and Ed Harris, aided by Jordan Cronenweth's gorgeous cinematography helps overcome some rather awkward plot holes in this gritty drama about the Italian-Irish mob relations in New York. Penn plays Terry Noonan, an old boy from the neighborhood who suddenly reappears after a long hiatus and lands an entry level position with his best friend Jackie Flannery's (Oldman) Irish clan, run by Jackie's brother Frankie (Harris). Although relations between the Irish and the Italians are strained, at best, Frankie has succeeded in crafting an alliance with the Italians that works considerably to his monetary favor. Adding to an already volatile mix is Terry's renewed relationship with Jackie and Frankie's sister (Robin Wright). The catch is that Noonan is an undercover cop from Boston, who wants to clean up the Kitchen, but doesn't really want to harm his friends. With typically superior acting, Penn excellently portrays the psychological dilemma that is eating away at Noonan's insides. Fine acting, a good line-by-line script (overpowering a somewhat flawed storyline), and great camerawork make up for the problems that young director Phil Joanou sometimes creates for himself (the ending, especially, an operatic ballet of slow-motion gory violence, is one of the most ridiculously unbelievable scenes of the year). Recommended, with the above reservations. (R. Pitman)