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Review by: Katherine Kaminsky | Rating:
Two
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: None listed
STARRING Cate Blanchett, this is the true story of a groundbreaking
investigative journalist who, singlehanded, took on and exposed
Dublin's Underworld in the mid-1990's.
The film starts with Veronica Guerin's shocking murder, and then
flashes back to reveal the circumstances that led to her being
shot dead in her car.
Using her main underworld contact, John Traynor (Ciaran Hinds),
Veronica seeks to discover the primary players involved in the
heroine epidemic sweeping the North side of Dublin.
Traynor is portrayed as a seedy, vain, wannabe who is only too
happy to boast of his criminal connections. However, one of those
connections is his boss, an extremely violent Irish gang leader,
John Gilligan (Gerard McSorley).
Gilligan, aware that Veronica is getting close, warns Traynor
that if his name appears in her column, in the Sunday Independent,
Traynor will pay the consequences for talking to the press.
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Traynor throws Veronica some red herrings but she is not deterred,
afraid for his own safety he resorts to violence to frighten her
off the story. This only makes her more determined to uncover
the truth.
Veronica is represented graciously but without gloss. We see
her vulnerable and afraid, as well as unpopular with her peers.
But, most interesting, is her naivete, believing herself to be
safe because you can't shoot the messenger.
This poses a question mark as to whether she would have continued
the story had she fully understood the danger she would be in.
Touching also, is the insight into her family life, particularly
the relationship with her mother, Bernadette, played by Brenda
Fricker, who against her better judgement, valiantly supports
her courageous daughter.
The performances are excellent and Blanchett's accent is flawless,
however, director, Joel Schumacher, cannot resist a sentimental
ending, with most of Dublin being told of the shooting. This was
annoying, unnecessary and went on too long.
Although the second film to be made about Veronica Guerin, (When
The Sky Falls, starring Joan Allen, came first) it is well worth
a look.
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