MovieChat Forums > State of Grace (1990) Discussion > The main problem with this movie...

The main problem with this movie...

posted 15 years ago by DeuceWild_77
4 replies | jump to latest

... was the poor script and Sean Penn's acting. Phil Joanou's direction was great, also the cinematography and music score, but the script and editing were very poor. Gary Oldman and Ed Harris two of the best actors ever,gave amazing performances,in some scenes Penn looked like an amateur next to both. Robin Wright overacts a lot through the movie,and her character wasn't interesting or even important to the plot. The writers add her for sex scenes with the future husband Penn. Overall, with another leading actor and actress and a better script this movie could have been a masterpiece next to The Godfather or Goodfellas,but the result is just an ok action/drama about the Irish Mob...

Ed Harris and Gary Oldman acting performances 9/10
Sean Penn performance 5/10
Robin Wright performance 4/10
Screenplay 4/10
Direction 8/10
Editing 5/10
Cinematography 8/10
Score 7/10

"State of Grace" movie - 6.5/10

[–] tylrfrch 15 years ago

I totally agree with you on robin wright.

However, Penn's done better but I don't think he was too bad.

The overall plot i thought was fantastic, but the movie would've been much better without gary oldman's 'make stevie a saint' scene, idk what the *beep* that was.

I liked the ending, but i think they couldve made it better, or changed it entirely, so it fit the pace and style of the rest of the movie. It kinda seemed like they just felt that they should finish the movie with sean penn all gung ho in slow motion and just end it there.

Dude! You drank Kenny!

[–] Midnight-Boy 15 years ago

Christ.

Jackie's 'make Stevie a saint' was to drive it home that even though Jackie is a violent disgusting thug, his love and loyalty to his friends and family is unshakeable. This scene was crucial because a) Jackie is falling apart and b) it makes it more emotional that his own brother killed Stevie.

As to the end, it's screenplay structure. For most of the movie, Penn and Harris have been on a collision course. Ultimately, they had to collide. Also, Penn wanted vengeance. Simple.

[–] bear022013-588-696101 15 years ago

YOU ARE THE PROBLEM JACK OFF KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT OR MY BOYS AND I WILL DO IT
YEAH WE ARE IRISH....RIGHT OFF THE BOAT.

[–] erikriveros 13 years ago

POOR SCRIPT AND SEAN PENN'S ACTING?!?!? stop.

it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it