Veronica Guerin DVD > Reviews > One woman's battle against drugs.

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Good
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Good

Advantages:	A true story, fascinating on seat edge film
Disadvantages:	None really, swearing and violence if it offends

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I can't say I can remember the real life event of Veronica Guerin and I'm not going to say anymore as it will give the story away as the film is based a true story. You'll have to watch to find out more. But anyway I will try and describe it as best as I can while not giving the whole plot away.

Veronica Guerin is played by CATE BLANCHETT, born in 1958, a journalist for the Dublin Sunday Independent newspaper. She is dedicated and respected, often writing articles that are considered controversial or even political.

In the opening scene, Veronica is seen entering an estate to research her next article, about the drug problems in the area. She is met by scenes of youngsters playing with used needles which are littered everywhere. She then meets some of the users who are understandably not very helpful and Veronica leaves quite shocked by what she has seen.

Determined to find and report about the source of the drugs and the dealers who are exploiting the youngsters who themselves are pushing drugs, she enters into the world of drugs, violent crimes and murders.

The film is quite violent at times and contains lots of swearing so if this offends you, this may not be the film for you. Taken in the context of the setting of the film, it did sort of blend in with the general ethos of the film for me.

Veronica is unrelenting in her quest to get to the root of the problem, often putting herself in grave danger, she is beaten up and shot in the leg during the course of the film and is I believe quite naïve in her expectations of others around her.

Veronica is aided in her work by an informer who in turn is part of the whole criminal scene, but will can he be trusted or will it hinder her further?

Will Veronica be able to make any difference to Ireland's young people and how the country deals with an ever growing drugs problem?

You'll have to watch the film as if I carry on, I am going to say too much and give the story away, but I hope this gives a basic insight.

At times the film is very touching, makes you laugh but it also makes you want to shake Veronica and say 'What the heck are you doing?'

****CAST******

Veronica Guerin ------Cate Blanchett
John Gilligan ----------Geard McSorley (drugs baron)
John Traynor ----------Ciaran Hinds (Veronica's informer)
Bernie Guerin ---------Brenda Fricker (Veronica's Mum)
Geraldine Gilligan ---Maria McDermottroe (drugs baron's wife)

Plus lots of others, but the ones I have named are the characters that were the most memorable from watching the film.
The extras on this dvd were not that special but I will try and describe them, Cate Blanchett plays Veronica Guerin convincingly, I particularly enjoyed scenes when she got angry and took her frustrations out on her football playing.

Ciaran Hinds was good as John Traynor, he was Veronica's informer but at the same time he is still a hardened criminal. I believe he was also enjoying the attention her received from Veronica. One scene I particularly enjoyed was when he was in a brothel with a prostitute and Veronica just walks in as though it was perftectly normal place to meet him, John looked shocked, the prostitute didn't bat an eyelid, we found that quite amusing.

John and Geraldine Gillingham were played well by Gerald McSorley and Maria McDermottroe, they were both very believeable in their parts and played them well. I wanted to add something here about the end with Gerladine Gillingan, but I fear it will give too much away, so hard luck, you'll have to just watch it. I can say though, I was torn in two, half of me though serves you right, and the other half felt for her.

Brenda Fricker plays a good part as Bernie Guerin, I could really feel her motherly feelings coming out and could sense her anguish.

The rest of the acting was of a very good standard, but these were the main characters for me anyway. All of the film was very believeable though and it was a little scary to think that's what Ireland could be like at anytime, even today sadly.

***The extras were***
Title 2 on dvd
Was basically just an option to play the film, pick different scenes or change the languages or subtitle options

Title 3 was just a link to play the movie.

There was no extras included like behind the scenes or otherwise.

***Music composed by***
Harry Gregson Williams

***Editor***
David Gamble

***Produced by***
Jeremy Bruckheimer

***Directed by***
Joel Schumacher

***Running Time***
98 minutes.

Released UK - July 11th 2003
Rating 18

The copy I watched was a rental copy, but I have found the following prices for the dvd
Play.com - £6.99
Tesco - £16.97
Ebay, bargains to be found.

Would I recommend this film,
Yes I would recommend it, I particularly like the fact it was a true story and could relate to it. I found it very interesting and would watch again. It's not a nice story, but it is a good thrilling film.