MovieChat Forums > State of Grace (1990) Discussion > Why the hell isn't this movie more respe...

Why the hell isn't this movie more respected?

posted 20 years ago by larrylegend33
55 replies | jump to latest

I know the reason this movie wasn't popular is because of the timing it was released... It came out in 1990 in the same 2 month span as Goodfellas and Godfather 3... It simply couldn't compete with those heavyweights in the theatre... Penn, Oldman, and Harris are all fantastic actors but aren't exactly box office draws... That much is understandable... but i have no idea why this movie hasn't really had a cult following since the DVD was released... This probably is my fav movie of all time... I'm pretty much a cinemaphile and know a thing or two about the industry... i know its not the most groundbreaking or innovative film in the genre...but for some reason its just very enjoyable and utterly rewatchable in every respect... i love this movie and only know a handful of people who have seen it

[–] uptowngbv 20 years ago

This is a great film. As far as the genre goes, I'd say it's in the top 5 along with Millers Crossing, Goodfellas and The Godfather I and II.

[–] larrylegend33 20 years ago

solid top 5... i'd definately put this over donnie brasco which is probably the movie it most resembles from a plot standpoint... this is just so much more in depth and entertaining

[–] bede86 18 years ago

It was a good movie though it most definatly did not have the same depth than donnie brasco. Dont get me wrong it was a great film I love to watch the Micks think there toughter than Italians...really entertaining.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] SeanJoyce 18 years ago

idiot. "Micks" certaintly are tougher than those pasta-eating, shoe-shining, olive-picking peons.

"i have 4 gf in my life so that is answer your question."~god of COCKery, The Departed board

[–] bede86 18 years ago

pffft go get drunk and beat your wife.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] SeanJoyce 18 years ago

and in this corner we have the defintion of irony..., since just about every gangster movie depicting the Italian mafia shows them beating their wives. Ex: The Godfather: Part II, Goodfellas, Casino...

Go grease ya freakin' hair and buy more cheap jewelry.

"i have 4 gf in my life so that is answer your question."~god of COCKery, The Departed board

[–] bede86 18 years ago

I may have Greasy hair but my jewelry isnt cheap, whats wrong with you some Italian guy stick it to your girlfriend?

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] SeanJoyce 18 years ago

"whats wrong with you some Italian guy stick it to your girlfriend?"---my gf would have standards.

"i have 4 gf in my life so that is answer your question."~god of COCKery, The Departed board

[–] bede86 18 years ago

i question those standards if shes going out with a mick like you.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] SeanJoyce 18 years ago

she'd be content for 2 reasons: 1. I wouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight, like all dag*$ are accustomed to doing 2. She wouldn't have to worry about a fully-body carpet smothering her when having sex.

"i have 4 gf in my life so that is answer your question."~god of COCKery, The Departed board

[–] bede86 18 years ago

yeh heaps funny you bog-trotting mick fuqq

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] mindchanger9 18 years ago

Yo ginzo, Irish people know how to have a good time and not let all that macho B.S. into their heads like you I-talianz. Go lift some weights, work on your tan and throw deniro lines back and forth with your brazjoles OK. what do the italians do whenever there is a war, they throw their hands up in the air and go along with whoever's winning at the moment. And another thing this board is about STATE OF GRACE not you and your little sicillian crusade. geeez I'm part Italian and I'm disgusted how the whole culture is saturated with mob-worship. You should really be ashamed of yourself if you look up to those types as "COOL" Italians. Get a Brain......

STATE OF GRACE IS AN AMAZING MOVIE>>>>TOTALLY UNDERRATED

[–] bede86 18 years ago

first im not Sicillian second if your part italian then why the hell are you using words like ginzo.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] mindchanger9 18 years ago

Kudos on not being Sicillian, second I use the word ginzo cause it catches the feeling of a dumb italian. Third I'm irish too so I cant say mick, i'm cherokee too so I can't say redskin.....no....I used ginzo correctly last post.

[–] bede86 18 years ago

you started this all i said is i find it funny when the irish think there tougher than the italians now i was using this in reference to the italian mob and the irish mob in comparison the italians are way more powerfull than the irish are...sorry if my wording made it sound like i was generalising, dont get me wrong I hate the mafia i think there criminals like any organised crime group and im Friulian not sicilian opposite side of the shoe.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] tomcat69w 18 years ago

Hey Wop Fugg why you usin' Nightrider???? Did Uncle Midnight shove his salami in your pasta???? I'm a Mick and proud of it,...and I was born a poor black child too! And my Dad was a Jew,...'yeah,...that's the ticket'

The Smoker You Drink, The Player You Get!

[–] bede86 18 years ago

i have no idea what the hell your talking about....

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] bede86 18 years ago

you started this all i said is i find it funny when the irish think there tougher than the italians now i was using this in reference to the italian mob and the irish mob in comparison the italians are way more powerfull than the irish are...sorry if my wording made it sound like i was generalising, dont get me wrong I hate the mafia i think there criminals like any organised crime group and im Friulian not sicilian opposite side of the boot.

The Nightrider!!! That is his name...the Nightrider. Remember him when you look at the night sky!

[–] robken0174 14 years ago

We ARE tougher. It's entertaining to hear inbreds like yourself spew your ignorance. I'd love to see you walk up to a big 'mick' and call him that. He'd make sauce/gravy out of you.

[–] bear022013-909-645034 10 years ago

The Irish are tougher than Italians....so are Eastern Europeans,Russians.

[–] bear022013-588-696101 8 years ago

Johnny Depp ruined the Donnie Brasco role.

[–] etherisphere 20 years ago

I couldn't agree more. The whole atmosphere of the film is totally absorbing, the acting is phenomenal, and the haunting score by Ennio Morricone makes this one of the great underrated movies of all time.

[–] remp 20 years ago

This movie is still one of my favorites, I watched it today for the 8th time,
and it's still fantastic (Gary Oldman is great)!

[–] angellastar 20 years ago

yeah it's in my view underestimated to a certain extent. It's a great movie marked by the talented characters in its cast.
It is one of the best when it comes to movies dealing with mobs and mafia.I adore sean penn and gary oldman.

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

I agree, this film is one of the best Irish mob films ever. I saw it 15 years ago, and I can watch it over & over. The Gary Oldman scenes are the best, because, in every scene, he's drinking! Either quaffing a beer or gulping on a piny bottle while driving that beat-up Cadillac, it's just perfect! He gets crazed until the day his brother betrays him. And Robin Wright? Wow, thanks for the side-tittie shot, Mr. Director!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

Yes, I heard he finally quit the drinking, so good for him, I guess...but his role required it to add to the 'wrecklessness' of his character! He's really drinking that beer, he's not just drinking yellow-colored water!
Hope you feel better, I sure do enjoy evading the Flu! Juices! Vitamins!

"The Film in which you are about to see is an
account of a tragedy that befell a group of 5 youths"

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

"when "Dracula" was filmed, he was REALLY drunk(the scene where Keanu Reeves try to shave, and Dracula comes in and licks his razor-blade" - That was my favorite scene in THAT film too - didn't know he was drinking during that film either but the licking the blood is too funny!
I like (in State of Grace) when he's riding around in the Cadillac, drinking out of a pint of Canadian Mist, offers it to Sean Penn for a 'breakfast shot'!
He was one loose cannon! But really, flu's take a while to get over (be glad it isn't the 'bird flu'!). Maybe the vitamins & fresh juices are to build up the immune system, but I enjoy them - good luck, Mrs. Spivey!

"The Film in which you are about to see is an
account of a tragedy that befell a group of 5 youths..." - TCM

[–] deadwalk06 18 years ago

I think The Departed could take some notes from this flick.

One of the best gangster flicks period.

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

Its very gritty & very New Yawk....great scenes, photography....and the acting wasn't too shabby either!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

Mrs. Spivey,
Don't get so depressed over it! Someone else stated here that State of Grace came out in 1990 at the same time GOODFELLAS did, so maybe it tanked at the box office? I rented it in the early 90's and loved it....but that doesn't mean everyone else did or that millions saw it at the theatre!
Just show it to friends & family & spread the word but don't cry a tear for "poor" Sean Penn! He's a big enough star! ;-)

"The Film which you are about to see is an
account of a tragedy that befell a group of 5 youths"

[–] deadwalk06 18 years ago

One of thee best Mob films i've ever seen.

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

I'd agree. The photography and darkness of the grimy streets are a big help too in creating the feel of NYC. Gary Oldman ruled that role!

"The Film in which you are about to see is an account of a tragedy that befell a group of 5 youths"

[–] richieanimal-1 18 years ago

Probably every actor in this movie got screwed out of any residual money the studio went under. My friend was in it small part and he owed money to Irs over this form some reason. On the dock he and someelse were sent to collect money from the guy who later had his throat cut. He is the one who was wrestling in the floor with Dracular :-)

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

you're saying the big guy who fights with Gary Oldman in the film was 'extorting' money from certain people? Or did I read your post wrong??? ;-)

[–] richieanimal-1 18 years ago

you read it wrong

[–] Flowbeer 18 years ago

Well, perhaps your post wasn't as precise as if shoulda been! ;-)

"It's SUPPOSED to taste that way, it's FISH!"

[–] joolztoolz 14 years ago

This probably is my fav movie of all time... I'm pretty much a cinemaphile and know a thing or two about the industry... i know its not the most groundbreaking or innovative film in the genre...but for some reason its just very enjoyable and utterly rewatchable in every respect... i love this movie and only know a handful of people who have seen it

I'm so glad to hear this. I came across this movie in a bargain bin and I'd never heard of it. I bought it immediately--Gary Oldman, Sean Penn and Ed Harris--how can you go wrong?

I don't know why I've never seen a trailer or have never come across any ads for this movie, ever. I don't think Hollywood is marketing movies properly anymore.

I haven't watched it yet--and now I'm kicking myself...I thought maybe it might not be very good for some crazy reason. That was stupid of me.

Thanks for the info.

[–] Kroyall1962 14 years ago

I am not getting what is so great about it. Penn is unconvincing, there is no reason to have any empathy for any of the characters and it makes Irish people look ridiculous. This movie is crap. Oldman does a good job although the scene in the church was laughable.

[–] justal67 14 years ago

That's why you are a farking idiot kroy.

[–] bear022013-588-696101 14 years ago

Larry,I agree...seen it 25 times or more and never tire.THE FILM IS NO#1
with me.Boy,they could have used Mickey Rourke.
In reality The Westies had far more than 7 men....and according to T.J.English and yours truly the Italians were afraid of the Irish in that time period.

[–] MelanieBomer 14 years ago

It's a shame because this is a gem of a film. Personally I'll take Oldman over Liotta, Pesci and DeNiro any day.