Review of Veronica Guerin (2003) by Jason Y — 18 May 2004

Veronica Guerin is a bio pic that was way too short and left the viewer (I fear) with only a limited view of a journalist that made a siginificant impact on Ireland's war on drugs. Guerin was a tenatious journalist that took on Ireland's drug lords and was murdered for getting too close to exposing their network.

Her death sparked outrage in the country and led to an overhaul of the drug laws. The problem with this film is that it minimizes Guerin's impact and her position as a reporter within the country.

Going into the film I knew nothing about Guerin, and unfortunately, coming out of it, I am afraid that I don't know much more. Further, if I didn't know better, I would have thought that she was only a marginal reporter that fell into the story not a top-flight reporter that risked her career and life for an important story.

Also, the way Cate Blanchet (who I normally love) played the lead role very strangly. Guerin came across as a clueless fool who ignored clear warnings to continue on a story that risked the life of herself and her family.

She paid for the story with her life but I tend to think that its was more because is was a great reporter that was getting close to the truth rather than a fool that stumbled and bumbled her way into it.