… a stone cold classic in its own right…while most gangster films are nostalgic throwbacks to serve an audience of old men, State of Grace updates, recycles and revitalises cliches by firmly setting the narrative in the present, or at least 1990…

| Original Score: 5/5 | May 11, 2025

A well-acted, lyrically written and solid thriller.

| Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2025

It's (mob) business as usual, elevated by forceful turns by all the principals, particularly Gary Oldman as a twitchy live wire who's fiercely loyal to friends and family.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 9, 2023

A brilliantly unbalanced gangster melodrama. [Full review in Spanish]

| Dec 6, 2022

Joanou is no Scorsese but he successfully builds a satisfying crime flick around Oldman's electrifying performance.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 19, 2015

Every indulgence, including a two hour and 14 minute running time, is on display.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 3, 2012

A violent, tortuous melodrama that labors mightily to be an Irish Mean Streets or a latter-day Wild Bunch.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 3, 2012

Superior gangland drama with a nod to Scorsese

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 31, 2010

A handsomely produced, mostly riveting, but ultimately overlong and overindulgent gangster picture.

| Mar 26, 2009

A hugely impressive piece of work for a young director previously known for his documentary U2 Rattle and Hum.

| Feb 9, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Oct 12, 2005

A gritty, intense and explosive Irish gangster drama that's second only to Scorsese's GoodFellas as the best film of 1990.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Oct 10, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 18, 2004

Charts the territory of lawlessness, betrayal and violence.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 30, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Aug 4, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 10, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 22, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 22, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 23, 2003

A powerful, gritty, life-of-crime thriller that showcases its charismatic cast to impressive effect.

| May 24, 2003