When the Sky Falls (2000)

Fact-based story about Irish crime-investigating reporter Sinead Hamilton, who invaded the Irish underworld and attempted to expose the illegitimate activities she found. Hampered by the ... See full summary »

Director:

John Mackenzie

Writers:

Guy Andrews (additional dialogue), Ronan Gallagher,

Stars:

Joan Allen, Patrick Bergin, Liam Cunningham

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joan Allen	...	Sinead Hamilton
Patrick Bergin	...	Mackey
Liam Cunningham	...	John Cosgrave (The Runner)
Kevin McNally	...	Tom Hamilton
Jimmy Smallhorne	...	Mickey O'Fagan
Gerard Mannix Flynn	...	Dave Hackett (as Gerard Flynn)
Jason Barry	...	Dempsey
Pete Postlethwaite	...	Martin Shaughnessy
Des McAleer	...	Jimmy Keaveney
Owen Roe	...	John O'Connor
Gavin Kelty	...	Tattoo
Vincent Walsh	...	Shaw
Frank Grimes	...	Paul McCarling
Rúaidhrí Conroy	...	Jamie Thornton
Liam Carney	...	Dessie O'Reilly

Storyline

Fact-based story about Irish crime-investigating reporter Sinead Hamilton, who invaded the Irish underworld and attempted to expose the illegitimate activities she found. Hampered by the system, a police consort is ineffectual at aiding her despite trying to step outside of the normal bounds. Kevin McNally plays her husband, who hates her activities and the danger in which she places herself. Nonetheless, he grudgingly admires her persistence and encourages her investigation.

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Plot Keywords:

investigation | police | reporter | drug use | thrown from a cliff | 

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Taglines:

when the truth is hidden when the witness is silenced when the sky falls

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for brutal violence, strong language, drug content and some sexuality

Details

Country:

UK Ireland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 June 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Veronica Guerin

Filming Locations:

Ballsbridge, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£62,848 (UK) (16 June 2000)

Gross:

£271,641 (UK) (30 June 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Icon Entertainment International, Irish Screen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Veronica Guerin (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Sleep with the Ancients - The Spirit of Eden"
Composed by Jimmy Smyth, Pearse Dunne and Jenny Newman

User Reviews

a true mystery

The name Joan Allen, so often associated with high quality, is used to attract innocent video renters to this film. They will be disappointed. What is alleged to be the story of a brave Irish journalist is instead a two-part mystery: a) why did Joan Allen agree to do this film? and b) what were all those people with thick brogues saying? Not only was a good deal of the dialogue unintelligible, but the film seemed like it began in the middle of the story, which was disconcerting - among so much that was disconcerting. A very dissipated Patrick Bergin, a long way from Sleeping with the Enemy, plays a frustrated cop. There's enough graphic violence, swearing with Irish brogues and skeevy looking characters to make three more films. No, thanks, one was MORE than enough.