Veronica Guerin (2003) User Reviews (126)

Solid True-Story Irish Crime Tale

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 19 March 2006]

Cate Blanchett has done it again - played someone you can't take your eyes off of, and not because she's a classic beauty but she's just a good actress and plays such intense roles. Here, she's the single-minded outraged Irish reporter out to expose the drug trafficking in Ireland in the mid 1990s. Yes, it's based on a real person, a very real Veronica Guerin, who took her life in her hands with her desire to have this problem taken care off so the kids in her country wouldn't have such easy access to harmful drugs.

According to the film story, the drug problem was ignored or the police were just ineffective in dealing with it, so Guerin goes after the mob as an investigative reporter. Her husband pleads with her to stop, knowing she could easily be killed. The gangsters were tough and realistically portrayed on film. There is no talk-now-shoot-later nonsense. You mess with them, you will pay. That's the message they give Guerin and you'll have to see the film to find out what happened.

Yup, this is an attention-getter from the start and especially with Blanchett in the lead. A good story and highly recommended.

You'd do the same. If you saw those kids on the street, you would do the same.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 30 June 2014]

The assassination of Dublin crime reporter Veronica Guerin in 1996 shook Ireland to the core, her murder saw a public swell of determination to rid the country of its drug peddlers. Joel Schumacher's film is an in depth interpretation of the woman, her beliefs, her family life, her complexities and her stoicism to root out the drug barons putting liquid death into the arms of the many.

Thankfully avoiding Hollywood clichés, it's often gritty and well thought out, Schumacher and his writers, Carol Doyle and Mary Agnes Donoghue, don't soft soap the Guerin image, her faults are laid bare alongside her searing strengths. The dangers of her work are very prominent throughout, leading to some suspenseful and fearsome scenes. Cate Blanchett as Guerin is inspired casting, an actress capable of covering all facets of the human condition, and in support Ciaran Hinds, Gerard McSorley and Brenda Fricker give powerful performances. 8/10

Blanchett Great, But Two Views of Guerin

[arthur_tafero · 6/10 · 30 December 2018]

Veronica Guerin is a film about an Irish journalist who put a story ahead of the welfare of her child and husband, as well as above her own life. There are two primary views about her decisions in the film. One is that she was unbelievably courageous and really believed that good always overcomes evil. That justice will always prevail. That one sometimes has to sacrifice one's self for the good of the many. Veronica Guerin thought she could make a difference. She thought the police were doing everything they could to stop the drug trafficking in Dublin. This is the positive view. The other view is that Veronica Guerin was incredibly naive, careless, and insensitive to the needs of her child and husband. That she thought she was a police detective without a gun and was above reproach from criminals. And while the film paints a pretty picture of Dublin's and Ireland's police completely turning around its drug problem, nothing could be further from the truth. There is still a tremendous drug problem in Dublin and in all of Ireland, not to mention the rest of the world. Nothing has really changed. Like all wars, the victims of the War Against Drugs, or any other war, are soon forgotten after noble words at a funeral. That's when everyone goes back to their everyday lives. So which version of Veronica Guerin is correct? That decision would be up to the viewer. And why did Colin Farrell get billing on IMBD as a co-star? He was in the film for two minutes (or less). Talk about a disappearing career. Good movie, though.

Harsh, relentless fact-based story given a rousing treatment.

[Silverzero · 25 July 2003]

Based on the true-life incidents of Irish reporter Veronica Geurin, this film is a gritty, disparate but continuously compelling take on what eventually led to her violent death. And this is one of the few movies to give an accurate impression of Irish natives, cultures, accents etc. This is also an update of 1999's `When the Sky Falls' starring Joan Allen in the Guerin part. Of course `Veronica Geurin' wouldn't have been made had it not been for the fact that they used fictitious names to protect identities in the former.

The blunt realism of it all is what makes it all the more believable and worthwhile. While on initial appearance this may look like Ireland's answer to `Erin Brockovich', the two films are polar opposite. One is a glamorised, feel-good story of a woman making one of the biggest lawsuits in history, while the other is a gritty, downbeat story of how dangerous journalistic work really is. The conclusion to the movie is pre-determined, so it's what builds up to that point is where the movie succeeds.

The Hollywood interpretation of the Irish has been completely flawed in the past. Films like `Ordinary Decent Criminal', `Evelyn' and `The General' gave out a totally unrealistic impression. But `Veronica Geurin' doesn't make a false move and gives a complete expose of what this country really is. Another huge positive is the sheer engagement of it all. Right from the shocking `didn't-know-it-was-the-ending' opening sequence you'll be hooked. Just too bad that the running time is a mere 96 minutes.

Despite being a slightly young choice (only 33), Cate Blanchett was an excellent choice for the title role. She gets the accent just right, physically looks like the title character, and is always convincing. It really is her show, so support is upstaged for the most part. That isn't to say that the supporting parts are bad in any way. Most characters aren't stereotypes and do well in what little role they have. The only exception being a totally irrelevant and inexplicable cameo from Colin Farrell. The part is very small, but it makes a huge difference and is the only scene in which you remember that you're watching a movie. Meanwhile, director Joel Schumacher has proved to have mastered every genre. Well, not so much mastered as much attempted. Let's just say that he is now officially forgiven for the atrocity that was the previous two Batman movies.

Overall, `Veronica Geurin' is a powerful, rousing fast-based story that leaves an unsurprisingly bad taste. But if you want a new-wave gritty thriller, then this is the film for you. You don't have to be aware of the incident to enjoy the movie, but it would help. My IMDb rating: 7.0/10.

What's worth dying for?

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 22 January 2009]

Two indisputable things to be learned from this film: (1) Ireland does not look like it does in "The Quiet Man" and (2) Cate Blanchett has got to be one of the finest actresses around.

Dublin here resembles any large American city, with wealthy drug lords cashing in at the top, a horde of distributing goons near the bottom, and junkies on the streets, sometimes dead.

Cate Blanchett is the real Veronica Guerin, a journalist who probed too far into this subterranean system. She writes a series of articles on drug use and the vermin involved, substituting their eke names for their real ones, so she and her paper can't be sued. A ninety-caliber dealer becomes "The Monk," for instance.

The legal system is so arranged that the police have difficulty dealing with the problem and the government is able to investigate only an individual's assets for tax purposes, not the source of those assets. Thus, you can be a bus boy in a louche restaurant and no one will question it when you file a tax return for a million pounds.

Blanchett first encounters the usual deaf-and-dumb routine from her sources, then as she continues to gather data and publish them, warnings, then threats, then she is shot through the thigh, then pistol whipped, and finally shot dead.

It's astounding, the way Blanchett handles this character. She laughs off the threats from both her editors and friends and from the people she's exposing. Of course it's easy for an actor to laugh, but Blanchett laughs NERVOUSLY and gives us a glimpse of the terror behind the bravado. Not only that, but she acts SO nonchalantly in the face of danger to herself, her friends, and her family that she's able to suggest something resembling a death wish.

The story itself evidently made history in Ireland, and the requisite happy epilogue follows Guerin's murder. A special investigative board is created to prosecute heroin dealers and the law is changed so that assets may now be frozen. Some of the bad guys wind up in the slams, some on the lam.

The script has its felicities. Blanchett remarks to her editor that she now has the name of the kingpin and the editor replies, "Yes, but you can't prove it." Blanchett: "This is as bad as the police force." Editor: "Worse. We don't have the resources or the power to arrest." (Something like that.) At it's bottom, though, the plot fits rather neatly into what seems to have become a genre unto itself -- brave, resourceful, tough-talking babe pushes her way into an expose of corruption and crime. And neglects her family to carry on with her bliss. I'll just mention "Erin Brokovitch" in passing as another example. There are many others.

But I suppose there's only so much you can do with a story like this, based as it is on true events. Guerin's death was a noble tragedy by any measure, yet it prompts certain ontic questions. How much in the way of "good" must be at stake to be worth dying for? Would any normal person die in order to put away a handful of gangsters and to make drug laws more effective? I suspect that after the pistol whipping, most of us would have started a new series of newspaper articles about the social significance of different hair styles. But Veronica Guerin was different. Watching this story play out is like watching a Greek tragedy. Ennobling maybe, but pretty depressing too.

She who dared

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 1 August 2016]

Cate Blanchett gives another wonderful performance as "Veronica Guerin," a 2003 film also featuring Ciarin Hinds, Brenda Fricker, Gerard McSorley, and a tiny part done by Colin Farrell.

This is based on the true story of an Irish reporter who was determined to expose the drug trade in Dublin, where streets were full of needles and children died. It takes her into some bad neighborhoods, but worse, it makes her and her family the target of very dangerous people. She is beaten, shot, threatened, and a gunshot comes through her window

Cate Blanchett is pretty, funny, and vivacious here as an upbeat, brave woman who risks her life to get an important story. Veronica Guerin actually was instrumental in inciting people to riot against the drug dealers, having laws changed, and bringing down the crime rate. Unfortunately, she had to die to do it.

Good

[jpintar · 7/10 · 18 March 2004]

Cate Blanchett is excellent as Veronica Guerin, a reporter who stands up to the drug dealers in Ireland. I admire Veronica Guerin quite a bit because she stands up for what she believes in. She risks her job, her family, and her life to stop drug dealers. Blanchett is the right person to play this part because she is beautiful and smart. I don't know how much of the movie is true but I like this movie a lot. I wish there were more people like Veronica Guerin in this world who stands up for things rather allow the status quo. I believe in order for there to be real change in the world, there must be people who stand up for what they believe is right. I think critics of the film are wrong that she shouldn't get involved. I give this movie a 7/10 for its strong convictions.

Cate Blanchett Exposes Hollywood

[ray-280 · 10/10 · 15 December 2005]

Just as Veronica Guerin exposed Ireland's underworld drug dealers, Cate Blanchett's marvelous portrayal of Irish journalist-turned-anti-drug-crusader Veronica Guerin seemed to have the actress on a mission to prove that you don't have to look like a pop diva or act like a porn star to be a compelling female lead in a film.

Like many films with an ethnic flavor, we get a supporting cast of ethnic actors in slightly elevated roles from the norm. Most notable from that category are Gerard McSorley as the evil drug-lord, John Gilligan, and Ciaran Hands as street thug John Traynor, who plays both sides of the fence throughout the film.

The story is painful, not only because of what happens to Guerin, but in our knowing that her courage is a direct reaction to our general apathy towards wrongdoing, with so many of us looking the other way that the Veronica Guerins of the world are encouraged to fight evil after the fact, but left as sitting ducks or thrown to the wolves while they are still alive and making noise.

If there's one lesson every viewer of this film should exit with, it is that those of us who are not part of the solution, are part of the problem.

Interesting story of a reckless journalist.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 8 December 2023]

I never heard of Veronica Guerin before as it was before my time. I'm sure she's more famous in Ireland than anywhere else. She could be seen as an early whistleblower, someone that made things change for the better for once. Her death shouldn't come as a surprise though as you just don't mess about with the Mafia, whether it's the Irish mob or whatever one. As a reckless journalist she just had it coming. It's a pity but the only ones to blame here are again the failing police forces, justice departments and politicians, as usual I would say. Cate Blanchett gave one of her better performances. As the name of Colin Farrell on the poster, well that's just to attract people watching this entertaining biography as he only appears for a minute, if that, in the entire movie.

Veronica Guerin, crusading journalist

[eddax · 9/10 · 26 November 2003]

Veronica Guerin is the kind of journalist I could never, ever be, if I choose to go into that field in the future. She was determined, ballsy, hard-nosed, a risk-taker, and instilled with a bravado that bordered on irrationality. This movie is based on the true story of how Guerin, an Irish reporter, galvanized her country into implementing stricter drug laws and cracking down on drug-related crimes and drug abuse. Veronica Guerin paints her as a modern day Joan of Arc - misunderstood by peers and politicians while she was alive, but made a martyr and heroine after her death. It spans a period of two years, from Guerin's decision to take down Dublin's drug overlord, to her eventual assassination. (I'm not revealing any secrets - she's shot at the beginning before the movie flashes back). Guerin's tenacious reporting-style - poking, prodding, nudging friends and foes alike - was effective, albeit often treacherous - there had been previous attempts on her life before the final, fatal one. It is this that critics pick on in their reviews: Guerin's almost insane tendency to provoke known criminals and gangsters to the point of immediate danger to herself and her family. While it would be somewhat implausible if this were a fictitious story, the story of Veronica Guerin is a true one. Having not read her biography, I have no idea how much the filmmakers have embellished on it, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. With the picture they painted of Guerin, as well as Cate Blanchett's wonderful portrayal of her, I believe that Guerin, in her passion-fuelled moral crusade, would have been that compulsive, and ultimately, that heroic.

As much as I loved the story of Veronica Guerin, crusading journalist, I have some bones to pick with the technical aspects of the movie. One is with the director's tendency to suddenly go into "Blair Witch Cam," or hand-held cam, for those of you who haven't been nauseated by that movie. It's intended to give the movie a documentary feel, but the sudden switches to from fixed to hand-held cams just leave me dizzy. Another problem I had, though a smaller one, was with the schmaltzy-ing of certain scenes, especially the last one, where Celtic songs are played in the background. While I understand the reverrence intended and the relevance of playing Celtic music, I couldn't stop images of the Titanic and Sarah McLachlan (I don't know either) from appearing in my head. A suitably solemn, well-composed, non-Celtic piece would've been much more preferable. But that's just me. 9/10

All the news fit to print

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 2 December 2004]

Joel Schumacher seems a strange choice for directing the film, before actually taking a look at the finished product. While the logical choice might have been someone like Neil Jordan, Mr. Schumacher makes the most of it with the material at hand. As usual, he is a director that likes to take chances, as he shows here.

This film came and went without being noticed in this country. Some movies go away quickly, which was the case with "Vernica Guerin". Having just seen it in DVD format, it deserved much better than oblivion from the distributing studio, or the many people deprived of seeing it when it first was released.

Veronica Guerin was a courageous woman who was not afraid for her life, even though there are a couple of instances that could have caused her death, before her actual demise. We see the events on a flashback, as the movie starts with the tragic events of Ms. Guerin's death. We watch her pursuing the people that had no scruples unloading drugs in impoverish areas of Ireland and laughing all the way to the bank with the millions they made illegally.

Cate Blanchett does a great job in her portrayal of Ms. Guerin. Not knowing what the real person was like, Ms. Blanchett bears an uncanny resemblance to the real woman. Cieran Hands, as John, the informer, is also quite good. Having seen him on the stage, he does an excellent turn as this evil man. Finally, Gerard McSorley is also what one would expect his John Gilligan to be; he makes Gilligan appear as the vermin he was. Brenda Fricker, as Veronica's mother, has only a few dignified moments on camera. The rest of the Irish actors were extremely good in contributing to create the right atmosphere for the movie.

This movie emphasizes the danger of drugs and the unscrupulous people that get rich out of the misery of others.

Not for the faint-hearted or squeamish...

[RJBurke1942 · 9/10 · 7 January 2007]

Back in the 1990s, I recall reading news articles about a feisty journalist who was writing stories about the drug problems in Dublin. Occasionally, I'd see another article, and was impressed by the strength and character of the writer. Then, in 1996, I read a long magazine story about Veronica Guerin and how she died.

So, this is a movie I really wanted to see...

Joel Schumacher has produced/directed many good movies, and this one must come near the top for me.

There is no preaching, no histrionics, no proselytizing, no hype – just a relatively short account of how this woman decided to do something about the kids dying in the streets, and about the difficulties she faced in trying to get authorities to stem, or stop, the flow of drugs into the city. Just an ordinary woman who did the extraordinary...

The cinematography of the dirty streets and kids is gritty, as you would expect, contrasting very well with the opulence enjoyed by the major drug pushers of the upper establishment in the Dublin area.

The violence – and there's plenty of it – is short, sharp, vicious and all too realistic: when one drug gang eliminates another, when an informer is tortured, when Veronica is subjected to the most savage personal beating I've seen on film, and when she is finally assassinated.

Couple all of that with a performance by Blanchett worthy of an Oscar, closely followed by Gerard McSorley as John Gilligan, whose evil must be seen to fully appreciate the performance of this fine actor, and rounded off with Ciaran Hinds as John Traynor, who simply excels in his performance as the slime-ball to end all slime-balls – and you have a film that keeps you riveted to your seat, wondering how is it that one person can be so brave in the face of such depravity.

It's a very depressing film because you know what is coming, you know that a horrible death comes as the end. But, it is also an uplifting story that proves, beyond measure, that good people can prevail against the bad elements that exist in all societies, even though some do pay the ultimate price.

If there is one movie you see this year, see this one.

Lightweight script dishonours heavyweight story

[wisewebwoman · 7/10 · 12 November 2005]

Which is a shame considering the great cast, good music and on the streets of Dublin locations. One does not get a sense of Veronica (played by Cate Blanchett and very competently) the star reporter in this. Her methods are glossed over and perhaps portraying another of her investigative reports prior to her final one might have helped understand her methodologies and dedication a little better. As it is, the character is not fully developed and her bare-faced confrontation of the low-lifes of Dublin do not ring true for me. It seems to be all about flirting her way along with the cops, the judges and the criminals themselves to get her stories. I felt the film did not do either Veronica or the story justice. Even the ending which should have been powerful, wallows into the waters of what her death accomplished in terms of changing the laws and then peters out into nothing so the viewer is left both empty hearted and frustrated. What was that again about respecting the viewer? Joel Schumaker, the director, should have left this film to an Irish director. He just didn't get it. And neither did the writers. 7 out of 10 for the excellent cast wasted in this.

A tragic tale told tragically.

[peteward · 3/10 · 3 August 2003]

The story of Veronica Guerin was one I was vaguely familiar with before seeing this movie. Cate Blanchett gives an admirable performance in the lead role but that's where the praise ends.

There was no effort to develop the characters whatsoever. It would be easy to think, having watched the movie, that Guerin was a terrible mother, a selfish wife, an infuriating daughter and a shoddy journalist. There was little to endear her to the viewer, or at least the viewer who isn't already familiar with the story of her life, her work and the tragic end of her life.

There was a fistful of over-acted portrayals of the criminals in the piece and little development of some of the key relationships, making the real-life grit and toil which Guerin applied to her work seemingly non-existent or worse, based on a nice smile, a short skirt and a quick flirt.

It was fun to see her discuss the merits of Cantona, for example, but that screen time would have been far better spent giving us some background as to why the copper was happy to allow her carte blanche access to police files or why "The Coach" felt compelled to spill the beans on his criminal activities at every available opportunity.

A story as compelling as this should be truly moving, she was, after all, the instigator in saving the lives of countless thousands and paid the ultimate price in doing so, but the greatest emotion of those I watched it with was relief that it was over. That shouldn't be the legacy of the story of Veronica Guerin.

This could have been a terrific movie. It's not. In fact, it's not even close. She deserves so much more, so do you.

Good Joel Schumacher effort

[michelerealini · 8 March 2004]

I've been revaluing Joel Schumacher as a director for some years. I was used to think he was just a typical Hollywood movie maker. But I understood this man does commercial features whenever he needs money ("Batman forever", "Batman & Robin", "The client", "A time to kill"), as he gets it he manages to do good and more personal films.

In fact his mainstream movies are quite boring and mannered. Fortunately Schumacher is much better with more alternative or low-budget films ("Falling down", "Tigerland", "Phone booth"). "Veronica Guerin" belongs to this category.

I'm also happy, in this case, that a blockbuster producer like Jerry Bruckheimer manages not to spoil the movie with artificial tricks.

Veronica Guerin seems to me a symbol of Irish tragicalness. I mean, the tragicalness you can find in works of James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, in stories and legends of Ireland as well. Sadly, her story is true.

The film has the right speed in presenting all the facts, it is simple and well acted -Cate Blanchett's performance is outstanding.

Maybe Joel Schumacher, in the final part, looses a little the sense of rhythm because he wants us to be moved and touched (and we are, indeed. Because it's a shame that a woman and a brave journalist as well had to pay that price). But it's a true story, as I said. The film is valid because it denounces the "conspiracy of silence" and inaction from authorities.

Cate Blanchett is an acting sensation

[frankiehudson · 7/10 · 19 February 2007]

Cate Blanchett is simply outstanding as Veronica Guerin, the heroic investigative journalist who strove to lay bare the evil trade in hard drugs in 1990s Dublin.

In fact, knowing nothing at all about Blanchett, I assumed that she must be an Irish actress. Her Dublin accent is so authentic that it could hardly be otherwise. Yet, it turns out, she is Australian. How can she be such a brilliant actress? Joel Schumacher has produced some great films in the past - my personal favourite is Falling Down - and this film displays some of his favourite themes: urban deprivation and squalor. The scenes of the pathetic drug addicts, many teenagers, in some of Dublin's worse slums, is enough to turn anyone against the drug barons.

However, I think it's their fault, as well. Nobody forces anyone to take drugs and these cretins, in a way, deserve what they get. You might as well blame someone for going down the pub and getting drunk. Blame the landlord.

A great film.

The acting saved the day!

[Scorching · 7/10 · 19 May 2004]

Veronica Guerin explores the life of a courageous Irish journalist played by Oscar Nominated actress Cate Blanchett (LOTR, Elizabeth). Here we see Guerin writing about the rampant drug problem in Ireland and at the same time antagonizing the drug lords who profit from it.

Not much I can say really about this film I felt the movie was saved by the great acting of Cate Blanchett. Not Oscar worthy but none the less a great portrayal. I felt the screenplay was a little shallow and wished it had explored more into the story of her life. It was in my opinion just too short just over 90 minutes long and they could have added a little more time in terms of adding added elements to the film.

Not as good as the story it's based on.

[Anonymous_Maxine · 7/10 · 12 February 2005]

I say that Veronica Guerin is not as good as the story that it is based on because it is based on an extremely powerful story of bravery and meaning that the real Veronica Guerin deserved a better movie than this. The movie walks a fine line in portraying Guerin as a reporter determined to expose the dangerous drug trafficking going on in 1990s Dublin or a headline chaser determined not to back down while so many people are reading about her exploits.

I tend to favor the former, if only because I don't like to think of someone who was killed during a quest to get drugs off the streets as an egomaniac who desperately wants to be famous. That being said, the biggest problem with the movie is that it is so contrived. Guerin walks into a dilapidated building to get information for her stories about the drugs on the streets, and the first thing she finds are a lot of young teenagers who are so spun that they don't even think to take the needles out of their arms, get this, when they are done "renting" them.

I should be careful because this may or may not have actually happened like that in reality, but it strikes me as a little bit odd that the first thing she finds are a lot of teens with heroin flowing freely through their veins who are more than willing to talk to her, as long as they don't have to smile. I am willing to admit that something like this may have been necessary simply for reasons of brevity so the movie isn't four hours long, but the effect is the same.

The movie starts off with the murder of Veronica and then plays out as a flashback leading up to her death, and in that way it is an interesting film, but it never loses the quality of seeming to be heavily written and re-written, as everything happens so neatly, exactly when it needs to in order to further the plot. There is a great scene where Veronica goes to the very front door of a major drug dealer and demands to know about his involvement. This actually happens twice, one time she gets a cold shoulder and the other time she gets a cold, ugly word repeated loudly and a harsh punishment for her insolence.

One of these scenes illustrates her courage and certainty that she is protected by her status as a reporter, the other scene illustrates the extent of her vulnerability, which she gradually comes to recognize and fear. But it is not her vulnerability that she fears, it is the very real possibility that she may not be able to continue her work if something happens to her. Again, it is up for debate whether she was chasing fame or determined to stop the drug trade, but I don't think she wanted to tackle the story in the first place because of fame or recognition as much as simply because no one else seemed to care or to dare.

The reality of the drug infested neighborhoods seemed a bit over the top to me, but I've never been to Ireland so what could I know. Guerin goes from writing everyday news stories to writing solely about the drug problem in Ireland, getting closer and closer to their sources and each time one of them threatens or even attacks her, it only makes her work even harder to bring them down. I heard someone say that the setting was a character itself in this movie, but I think Guerin's bravery is more of a character than the setting.

Whatever the case, the ending of the movie, which I understand is heavily dramatized for effect, is the part that really makes you understand how important her work was, regardless of her true motives. But the problem is that all of the meaning is monopolized by the last few minutes of the movie, imposing an odd lightness onto the rest of the film up to that point. This is, of course, what I mean when I say that the real story deserved a better movie, because as soon as we see the real effects of Guerin's work, dramatized or not, it is so powerful that it makes the rest of the movie look like a run-of-the-mill thriller. Nevertheless, it is much better than what I have come to expect from Jerry Bruckheimer.

Moving, unsentimental account of a remarkable woman

[anonReigate · 10/10 · 18 August 2003]

This was an extremely moving film, covering the life and death of the remarkable Veronica Guerin.

It would have been easy to sentimentalize this story, but it unfolded in a realistic, down-to-earth fashion that somehow made Guerin's death all the more harrowing.

However, Guerin was not painted as a tragic figure, but was shown throughout as a flawed and all-too-human figure (the incident with the skateboard at her son's party was very telling) who felt that she just HAD to continue with her crusade.

It is impossible to over-praise Cate Blanchett's performance, varying from flirtatious and humorous to passionate and driven.

Not an easy film to watch, but one that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Weak attempt by Bruckheimer to try and win an Oscar.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 6/10 · 8 May 2004]

After making big successful action blockbusters such as "Con Air", "Armageddon" and "The Rock", it was obvious that producer Jerry Bruckheimer tried to go for an Oscar with this little dramatic movie. A weak attempt.

The movie could have been good but it doesn't get any better as average. Who's to blame? Probably the director Joel Schumacher, he delivers a shallow drama without any emotions. Or maybe it's because of the main character. The character of Veronica Guerin never really becomes interesting or completely understandable with as a result that the viewer doesn't really get emotionally involved. Director Schumacher tries to make Veronica's character a warm loving mother and wife but fails completely in this and all the families scene's feel more like an obligation.

Another crucial mistake is that in all the advertisements and also in the beginning of the movie it was told that Veronica Guerin was murdered. Now I'm sure that this is common knowledge in Ireland but I can assure you that it isn't in the rest of Europe and especially not outside of it. In a way it already ruined the movie for me. I know that this movie isn't made for entertainment but to tell Veronica's story instead but surely they could have made it more interesting for the viewer to watch by not telling how it would end.

I know that Cate Blanchett was much praised for her role but quite frankly I didn't liked her all that much. But Maybe the reason for that had more to do with Veronica's character and not so much with Cate Blanchett's acting skills.

But all in all this movie is not a punishment to watch but like I said before it simply doesn't get any better as average.

6/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Good but not great

[moviefan2003va · 8/10 · 3 August 2004]

What a woman she was! Let's start off with good points. I think this movie had a great cast. I think everyone was perfect. The problem probably comes with the filmmakers being American. I'm an American so I think I'm qualified to say this. Sometimes you need to be from the same culture to understand subtle and cultural things that are not evident to the naked eye so to speak. The movie somehow doesn't delve deep enough for us to understand why Guerin takes these incredible risks. Perhaps we should have learned more about her background to understand this unflinching courage she had. It may have also been beneficial to make the underworld figures she encounters more layered. Either way, it is a good introductory film to this incredible woman. Perhaps a homespun filmmaker can make another movie about her. I reiterate that I thought the casting was terrific! Cate Blanchett is one in a million. I felt her performance was oscar caliber.

Tings kin always git wurs ...

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 17 October 2003]

Greetings again from the darkness. Director Schumaker delivers a very stylish, yet soul-less presentation of the career peak of Irish reporter Veronica Guerin. One of today's most underrated actresses, Cate Blanchett portrays Guerin as little more than a slick, fast talking almost "Globe-like" reporter who would sweet talk anyone for a tip. This story could probably best be presented in more documentary style as the drama is pretty much non-existent. Really would have enjoyed more interaction between Guerin and the bad guys and the most interesting character in the story is "The Monk", who has maybe 3 lines. Very disappointing. Since liberties were taken with real bad guy Gilligan, how about creating some dialog between good and evil. Even more insight into Guerin's apparent need for fame and glory could have provided more interest. Colin Farrell really stretches his acting abilities in a brief scene as a hard drinking, cussing, womanizing Irishman.

The performance of Cate Blanchette and the beautiful soundtrack

[raiderl2003 · 10/10 · 1 March 2006]

This is an excellent movie that I happened on when I was watching my satellite TV a few months back. Cate Blanchette in an Oscar worthy role, plays the real life Irish news journalist Veronica Guerin, who tried to expose the criminal element, responsible for providing drugs that were causing addictions to Ireland's young people. Veronica was a very courageous woman. It was a movie that really moved me, emotionally. I have since seen it about 5 times total, advising my friends to rent it. And the soundtrack is very good, never thought about listening to Celtic music, but now have found I enjoy it. And Sinead O'Conner's singing of the song One More Day is awesome. It's a lovely song, and another song on the soundtrack called the Fields of Anthenry, is one in which I had never heard the likes of before. So not only will the movie move you but also the music in the movie, which applies so well to it. If you haven't seen it I recommend that you do, you won't be disappointed, even if it is just to witness Cate's performance, which is commanding.

Looks familiar. Sounds like blarney. Feels ordinary.

[=G= · 6/10 · 18 March 2004]

Biopic drama "Veronica Guerin" represents the title character, an investigative journalist who is out of expose the drug bosses of Dublin, as a woman who has been beaten up and threatened with her life if she continues her work and who, in spite of all that, continues while taking no counter-measures (no Kevlar®, no body guard, nada, zip). How smart is that? In the end we are told her martyrdom resulted in all but ridding Ireland of drugs and everyone can remember what they were doing when she died neither of which ring true. Additionally, the film quite ordinary in spite of actor's actor Blanchett's best efforts. Pretty much the usual drug stuff only this time set in Ireland where we're used to seeing film's about people killing each other over politics and religion. This time it's drugs. Very ordinary stuff for Blanchett fans or those with a particular interest in Guerin. (C)

The film did not show every thing

[tonytaesser · 5/10 · 7 April 2018]

I think the spread of the drug trade as shown by the film it must have protection ; which means that some politicians and jurisdictions were protecting traders who were chasing them Veronica but the film did not show them