Ash Wednesday is a 2002 American crime drama film written, directed, and starring Edward Burns, alongside Elijah Wood and Rosario Dawson. The film is set in the early 1980s in New York City's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood and tells the story of a pair of Irish-American brothers who become embroiled in a conflict with the Irish mob. Plot Hell's Kitchen on Ash Wednesday, 1983: As rumors are flying that Francis Sullivan's (Edward Burns) younger brother Sean (Elijah Wood) who has been presumed dead for three years, appeared out of nowhere. It was afraid that the old killers might take a second stab at Francis's and Sean's life. An upstart approaches the local mob boss, who is Francis's protector for a hit job. Sean's wife, Grace (Rosario Dawson) believed she was a widow all these years until Sean came back for her. The parish priest who was deceived initially, is feeling anxious. As bad guys with guns are closing in, Francis should get Sean and his wife out of the city. Can Francis avoid a war between rival factions, and hold onto a new found morality? Will the cross of ashes on his forehead protect him? At the end, Francis helps Sean reunite with Grace and his son, Sean Jr., as they head out of the city together in the back of a van. But Francis decides to stay back to stop Moran (Oliver Platt). The film closes with Francis wiping the cross of ashes from his forehead. The final credit consists of Francis being shot dead, while stepping outside the pub as the sniper leaves the scene before the police arrives. Cast Edward Burns as Francis "Fran" Sullivan Elijah Wood as Sean Sullivan Rosario Dawson as Grace Quinonez Oliver Platt as Moran James Handy as Father Mahoney Brian Burns as Mike Moran, Moran's Cousin Vincent Rubino as Vinny Boombata James Cummings as J.C. Moran, Moran's Brother Pat McNamara as "Murph" Murphy John DiResta as Pete Malachy McCourt as "Whitey" Smith Peter Gerety as Uncle Handy Brian Delate as George "Crazy George" Cullen Jimmy Burke as "Red" Kelly Teresa Yenque as Mrs. Diaz Julie Hale as Maggie Shea Kathleen Doyle as Mrs. Flanagan Marina Durell as Mrs. Quinonez Michael Mulhern as Detective Pulaski Michael Leydon Campbell as Jimmy Burke Dara Coleman as John Coleman Penny Balfour as Callie Kevin Kash as Paulie "Numbers" Gregg Bello as Larossa, Vinny's Brother Joe Lisi as