Movie #118 State of Grace *1990*

Sean Penn
Ed Harris
Robin Wright
Gary Oldman
John Turturro
John C. Reilly
Phil Joanou (Director)

State of Grace has a murderers row (no pun intended) of powerhouse actors.  A lot of times when films have this many great actors the final product is less that the sum of its parts.  I didn't feel that way about State of Grace.

This film is part Departed, part Donnie Brasco, part Carlito's Way.  It is the story of a young Irishman from New York's Hell's Kitchen who had disappeared for a while.  But now he is back and teaming up with his old gang of thugs and criminals.  They are all part of a small Irish organized crime family that is having beef with the Italians that run everything in the area.

The twist is (and this is explained in the first 10 minutes so it is not a spoiler) the protagonist is an undercover cop.  He is working for the Boston police department in an attempt to infiltrate the gang and bring them down.  The films is mostly an undercover cop procedural.  He falls in love with an old flame, who happen to be the sister of the mob bosses.  He lets her into his life and she is torn between her lover and her family.  There are complications within the Irish mob and people are torn between their alliance to their families and the neighborhood.  The protagonist is torn between his job and his roots.  There is a lot of tearing in this movie.

I personally love Gary Oldman.  He is as almost as bat shit crazy in this film as he was in Leon.  Sean Penn gives a good, understated performance (understated is not always Mr. Penn's strong suit).  Ed Harris reminded me of how great he can be when he is kept on pace with everyone he is working with.  There is even a brief cameo from Burgess Meredith that is wonderful.  The movie even comes complete with a score from Ennio Morricone that is enriching without being overpowering.

I thought this was a solid addition to the oeuvre of undercover cop films.  It's sum was calculated out to exactly what it should have.  I give State of Grace ★★★1/2.  Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.