in this great mafia movie and i be really impressed with the realism of the scene and be well show in the movie all the previous research about the life and behavior and method of some gang in the u. s. while while i be watch the film i felt like watch real crime scene in new york . that be great . gary oldman be definitely a great actor for this type of character while he be the one i like most while good friend and good and risky mafia boy and good brother and and with some alcohol problem and he perform this character with perfect domination of the role . sean penn be great and he feel totally a one of the people of the real irish mafia . while dark scene and a great casting and realism be what this good movie have to offer . i do not like of the film and that sometimes it cut from scene to scene quickly show different part of the whole story that for a good part of the film you can not understand and this space be somewhat long and i get bore like at the middle of the film . but fortunately the movie restore it pace and conclude in a excellent and thrilling way . about the film represent sean penn be terry noonan a guy involve with some obscure business and people who after an incident with drug and return to new york where he join his old gang of irish in new york after ten year and he meet with his old great friend jackie flannery ( gary oldman ) and his ex girlfriend kathleen flannery ( robin wright ) and the flannery brother be a irish family that dominate the mafia business in the area and be lead by frankie flannery ( ed harris ) . when terry join the group and he meet some other old friend like stevie mcguire ( john c. reilly ) and and other important boss of the mafia and extortion like borelli ( joe viterelli ) and dark interest start to rise in the gang and where terry play an important role and terry interest start to be uncover trough the film show incredible event that make the film a great one . john turturro a nick play also a great role . positive . for this good movie direct by phil joanou .