6.9/10
18,832
117 user 104 critic

Veronica Guerin (2003)

Trailer
2:10 | Trailer
An Irish journalist writes a series of stories about drug dealers.

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers:

Carol Doyle (story), Carol Doyle (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cate Blanchett ... Veronica Guerin
Gerard McSorley ... John Gilligan
Ciarán Hinds ... John Traynor
Brenda Fricker ... Bernie Guerin
Don Wycherley Don Wycherley ... Chris Mulligan
Barry Barnes Barry Barnes ... Graham Turley
Simon O'Driscoll Simon O'Driscoll ... Cathal Turley
Emmet Bergin Emmet Bergin ... Aengus Fanning
Charlotte Bradley Charlotte Bradley ... Anne Harris
Mark Lambert Mark Lambert ... Willie Kealy
Garrett Keogh Garrett Keogh ... Tony Gregory
Maria McDermottroe Maria McDermottroe ... Geraldine Gilligan
Paudge Behan Paudge Behan ... Brian Meehan
Joe Hanley Joe Hanley ... Eugene 'Dutchie' Holland
David Murray ... Charles Bowden
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Storyline

Based on a true story, this is about the Irish journalist Veronica Guerin (Cate Blanchett), a reporter for The Sunday Independent, who exposed some of Dublin's most powerful crime barons and drug lords in 1996. But later that year she was gunned down by assasins hired by the same criminal drug lords she exposed. Written by Andreas Furumo <andreas.furumo@bredband.net>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Why would anyone want to kill Veronica Guerin?


Certificate:

14A | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the characters in the film was based on the Irish gangster Martin Cahill, who was previously the subject of John Boorman's film The General (1998). See more »

Goofs

When Traynor meets with Veronica on a pier in Dublin, he parks his car right behind Veronica's car, between two small pillars. When their meeting is over, Veronica drives away, which should be impossible because the exit off the pier is completely blocked by Traynor's car and the pillars. See more »

Quotes

Veronica Guerin: You'd do the same. If you saw those kids on the street, you would do the same.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Disclaimer in closing credits: "Chris Mulligan is a fictional composite character based in part on several different people, and certain events in which the character is depicted have been fictionalised for dramatic effect." See more »

Connections

Referenced in Dinner for Five: Episode #2.1 (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

Funeral Song
Written by Harry Gregson-Williams, Hugh Marsh, Patrick Cassidy and Trevor Horn
Produced by Trevor Horn
Performed by Sinéad O'Connor
See more »

User Reviews

 
Veronica Guerin, crusading journalist
26 November 2003 | by eddaxSee all my reviews

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


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Details

Country:

Ireland | UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 July 2003 (Ireland) See more »

Also Known As:

Veronica Guerin See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$611,276, 19 October 2003

Gross USA:

$1,571,504

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$9,439,660
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
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