State of Grace

The 1990 American crime drama directed by Phil Joanou follows Terry Noonan (Sean Penn), who returns to his native Hell's Kitchen neighborhood in New York City after a decade away. Now a Boston police officer, Terry goes undercover to infiltrate the Irish mob led by his childhood friend Frankie Flannery (Ed Harris). Reconnecting with his volatile best friend Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman) and rekindling a romance with their sister Kathleen (Robin Wright) complicates Terry's mission. The film delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the internal struggle between duty and personal ties. Inspired by the real-life Irish gang "The Westies" operating in Hell's Kitchen, the movie is noted for its atmospheric direction, compelling performances, and Ennio Morricone's haunting score. Gary Oldman's portrayal of Jackie Flannery stands out as one of his most acclaimed roles. Despite critical praise, the film was overshadowed commercially by the release of Martin Scorsese's similarly themed "Goodfellas" in the same year.