Veronica Guerin (2003)

Scoop to Guts

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Veronica Guerin on DVD

As a reporter for Dublin's Sunday Independent the real-life Veronica Guerin began investigating the city's growing drug problem in 1994, and by 1996 she was murdered. The remarkable Cate Blanchett portrays the fearless heroine in this new drama, and it's an all-out performance, energetic, passionate and full of hidden moments. In one great scene, she breaks down from fright, regains her composure and makes her husband (Barry Barnes) swear not to tell anyone. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joel Schumacher make up for their 2002 Bad Company indiscretion, and use their populist instincts to craft a down-to-earth biopic minus the usual loftiness. You can practically taste the damp Dublin air. Oscar-winner Brenda Fricker (My Left Foot) co-stars as Veronica's mum. For a more complete viewing experience, rent John Boorman's excellent The General (1998) for the scoop on famed criminal Martin Cahill.

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Gerard McSorley, Ciarán Hinds, Brenda Fricker, Don Wycherley, Barry Barnes, Simon O'Driscoll, Emmet Bergin
Written by: Carol Doyle, Mary Agnes Donoghue
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
MPAA Rating: R for violence, language and some drug content
Running Time: 98 minutes
Date: October 17, 2003