Veronica Guerin Poster

Veronica Guerin (2003)

Biography | Drama 
Rayting:   6.9/10 19.3K votes
Country: Ireland | UK
Language: English
Release date: 11 September 2003

An Irish journalist writes a series of stories about drug dealers.

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User Reviews

cm-9 1 August 2003

A superb film which appears to be a very accurate rendition of a true story which was in all the newspapers in 1996 (I remember it ...). Also, for once, a film which treats death as a tragedy and not a statistic (Stalin!). I think this is the most emotionally powerful film I have ever seen. It certainly made both me and my wife cry profusely - I guess it may not affect all viewers so strongly that way, but we have a young child ourselves which certainly affects our emotional response on some of the issues dealt with here.

Brilliantly acted, well paced, perfectly filmed technically as you'd expect from a Jerry Bruckheimer production (frankly I was amazed to see that on the credits at the end - I missed his name at the beginning as I was late coming into the film). Astonishingly it completely resisted the temptation to 'Hollywoodise' the story in the usual way (with mawkish dialogue and fake emotion) which vastly increased the impact of the true drama and power of the story.

So all kudos, then, to Bruckheimer and his production crew for tackling a current social issue, and not taking the standard 'Hollywood' approach to it, but instead projecting an accurate portrayal of life as it really is in parts of Ireland today. Bravo for avoiding any hint of 'Oirishness' (think of Waking Ned Devine for a prime example of that). Bow down before la Blanchett for her Irish accent which never faltered, although I must grudgingly concede that in one or two places she didn't sound entirely like a journalist - but maybe she was not supposed to.

Undoubtedly 10/10 and the best film of the year so far.

(It's been an evening of surprises - apart from the pleasant shock of seeing Bruckheimer's name in the end credits, I noticed 4 people walked out of the cinema after 10 minutes - maybe it was not what they were expecting but this is unmistakeably a good film.)

raiderl2003 1 March 2006

Fmovies: 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.

moviefan2003va 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.

anonReigate 18 August 2003

Veronica Guerin fmovies. 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.

eddax 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

janyeap 14 October 2003

This biographical drama grips me so emotionally from the beginning to the end. The contents are so intense that I could literally feel the strain on my body muscles at its end. Cate Blanchett's performance as Veronica Guerin is top-notched. She brings out a character that Ireland can proudly call a true daughter. Guerin was one journalist whose professionalism and belief prevented her from kowtowing to any corrupted system - even the threat of death. Director Joel Schumacher has created a powerful movie that pays true honor to Guerin.

This film has a superb cast of actors. Their characters come through the screen as very real people. Gerard McSorley's impressive performance as John Gilligan will be unforgettable. Oh yes, watch out for Colin Ferrel's cameo. Director Joel Schumacher's way of introducing the audience to the Sunday Independent newspaper's investigative journalist is so appropriate. It generated my curiosity and urge to get behind the uncanny story of the martyred icon. Yep, I was mesmerized by the Guerin character, following and watching every move and act this energetic woman made – up to a point I started gasping with disbelief. Then the flashback followed. Oh yes, every scene flowed with immense power and spirit to document Guerin's suicidal fanaticism and mission. In a very impressively dramatic, yet easy-to-follow, well paced-way, the story of Guerin's background unfolds. I witnessed the type of dangerous and trouble-filled environment facing her. I saw her as a workaholic mother, surrounded by loving family members who were willing to compromise to her very unconventional traits. I was given hints that there was a softer side within her that she refused to make public. The film provides very subtle indications that speak of Guerin's unusual urge to stay a winner – even as a young girl.

This film carries enough shocking scenes to make me understand the driving force behind her seemingly senseless acts. Every word in the dialogue did fill the gap, offering me a better understanding of her character. Blanchett definitely breathes life into the Guerin character with phenomenal credibility and vitality, allowing her personality to shine with such unique journalistic dedication, honesty, courage, determination and obsession. What I see on screen is a woman with true guts – an absolute winner. `I vow that the eyes of justice, the eyes of this journalist will not be shut again,` Blanchett's character has said. `No hand can deter me from my battle for the truth.' Repeatedly, I saw her facing death threats and physical attacks. My anxiety continued to crush me as I watch the evil surrounding her.

Does it always have to take a murder of a tenacious person to channel out public outcry, disgust and legislative actions to fight a crime? Veronica Guerin paid a price for devoting her career and life to exposing Dublin's drug barons and underworld leaders. I salute her. Like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, she belongs to the best category of journalists who will make the world a safer place to live. This film captures the same vitality as the inspirational ‘Bloody Sunday.' It's definitely a film not to miss.

A+

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