Leonardo DiCaprio has revealed that Gary Oldman’s performance in the 1990 crime film State of Grace had a profound impact on him and countless actors of his generation, a revelation that comes decades after the film’s muted box office release and critical overshadowing by Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. DiCaprio’s comments, made during his Bafta acceptance speech in 2016, highlighted the often-overlooked role by Oldman that, according to DiCaprio, helped shape the trajectory and style of contemporary actors.
State of Grace premiered in September 1990, entering cinemas at the same time as several iconic gangster films, but its reception was largely eclipsed by Goodfellas, which swiftly gained critical and commercial acclaim. While Joe Pesci took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor that year for his role in Scorsese’s film, Leonardo DiCaprio pointed to Oldman’s work as low-level gangster Jackie Flannery as the performance that truly influenced an entire generation in ways that were not initially recognized by the wider public.
Before State of Grace, Gary Oldman had already built a strong reputation in British cinema with his intense portrayal of Sid Vicious in Sid and Nancy, capturing audience attention with a raw and expressive approach. In the years that followed, Oldman took on Hollywood projects, starring in films like Criminal Law and Chattahoochee, but these roles did not bring him widespread recognition in the United States. The turning point came when Oldman was cast in State of Grace, acting alongside Sean Penn, Ed Harris, and Robin Wright and filming on location in New York City’s gritty Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. His portrayal of Jackie Flannery was marked by a volatility and intensity that would come to define the very essence of his acting style.
On set, director Phil Joanou observed Oldman’s unique method, describing the actor’s technique as nearly invisible yet unmistakably magnetic. “It was completely instinctual,” Joanou recounted in an interview.
His technique was almost invisible—you couldn’t even figure out if there was one. But from the way he understood everything about Jackie, how he’d behave and speak and move, it was almost as if he’d lived in Hell’s Kitchen for three months.
Oldman himself confirmed this approach, admitting that he relied almost entirely on emotion and instinct, shaping the character in an organic, unplanned way.
When I said I’d do it, I was bullshitting my way through the whole fucking thing,
Oldman admitted.
I mean, I didn’t know I could do this character. He just sort of came. He just sort of appeared—very late on, actually. Right before shooting.
Despite critical praise for Oldman’s riveting performance, State of Grace struggled to break through at the box office, grossing only $1.9 million compared to Goodfellas’ $47.1 million. The commercial disappointment seemed to relegate the film and Oldman’s role to obscurity for many years. However, as time passed, a devoted fanbase formed around the film, slowly building a cult status that did not escape the notice of rising stars like Leonardo DiCaprio.
DiCaprio, well-known for his commitment to examining and learning from great performances, acknowledged Oldman’s portrayal in a moment of public recognition during his 2016 Bafta acceptance speech.
I’ve been so influenced by so many British actors throughout the years,
DiCaprio said.
I remember watching Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner when I was 15 years old with my father, all the way to Gary Oldman and State of Grace, which influenced an entire generation of actors.
For DiCaprio, Oldman’s work went beyond technique or method, resonating with emotional truth and an electric unpredictability that shaped how future actors would approach character roles steeped in complexity and volatility.
The ripple effects of Oldman’s work, as illuminated by Leonardo DiCaprio’s admiration, extend well beyond the film’s modest initial audience. State of Grace stands as a hidden touchstone in the evolution of acting styles, particularly for performers seeking deep emotional authenticity and power in portraying conflicted, layered characters. Oldman’s performance, while once in danger of being forgotten, has endured through the influence it had on DiCaprio and other top actors, encouraging a new standard of intensity and truth in modern film.
As more actors and directors continue to cite Oldman’s Jackie Flannery as an inspiration, State of Grace is likely to be reassessed as an influential work that helped ignite a transformation in screen acting. Leonardo DiCaprio’s recognition, grounded in personal experience and public tribute, signals a renewed appreciation not just for Oldman’s individual achievement, but for the overlooked films and performances that quietly shape the industry from the margins. The ongoing interest in Oldman’s role suggests that the impact of State of Grace will only deepen, offering a compelling reminder of how powerful performances, though sometimes overlooked in their own era, can inspire generations to come.
