Review

Regrettably superficial, Veronica Guerin — based on the real-life crusading Irish journalist — manages to be occasionally moving thanks to inherently interesting material and another terrific performance by Blanchett. As portrayed by Ms. Blanchett, Guerin is a tough, passionate writer determined to bring down the Dublin drug lords, in the face of death threats and physical violence. Despite her excellent turn, however, we still don't get a strong hold on what makes Veronica tick, and the brief running time, super-slick, TV-movie presentation, and uninspired wrap-up (which should have been quite emotional) render the whole film nearly disposable. The little gal versus injustice theme proves irresistible, and the film is certainly never dull, but it's a shame the filmmakers didn't make the film as compelling as it could have been.

 -- Dean C. Galanis