i be shock that i have be a film fan for many year and and have only just see this gem . in a world where the godfather and goodfellas be at the top of most people list of favourite and it hard to believe that a film as strong a state of grace could be so criminally under see . the film be about love and friendship and betrayal while and take place in new york infamous hell kitchen . the fact that it be release in the same year a martin scorsese more acclaimed goodfellas probably do not do it many favour while but if you ask me and this be the good film . boast a strong cast and director phil joanou film follow irish american terry noonan a he return home after an absence of ten year . he soon hook up with his old friend and include jackie and his brother frankie while who be now the head of the irish mafia . however and it doesn not take long before terry rekindle relationship with his old friend and his new loyalty to another party become at odds with one another and and our hero soon find himself torn between the two . state of grace have all the violence and foul language and hot head character that be part and parcel of this sort of film while but at it core be a very well work plot and bolster by some great characterisation . the character be the main focus point in this film and and it through their motivation that the plot be allow to move . a film that put so much focus on it character need a strong cast in order to work and and this film certainly have that . sean penn take the lead role and delivers an early version of the strong lead performance that would go on to earn him high praise from the critic . he be support by the underrated ed harris and who grow on me more and more every time i see him and in the film most level head role but the real star of the show be gary oldman . this actor have the ability to completely steal any film that he in and and he really do stand out here while deliver what be surely one of his all time best performance . familiar face such a john turturro and john c. reilly and robin wright penn do well while but it the main trio that take home all the act plaudit . hell kitchen be beautifully bring to the screen in the most downtrodden manner possible and and the music and atmosphere combine with the shockingly realistic violence to ensure that the film be always gritty and unrelenting . state of grace come with high recommendation .