Search - Veronica Guerin on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Language, Drug Content Movie Release: 2003 DVD Release: 03/16/2004 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Edition: Dual Layered Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Walt Disney Video Total Copies: 7 Genres: Drama, Crime Thriller, Biopic [feature]

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joel Schumacher take on the real-life story of an assassinated Irish journalist in the dramatic thriller Veronica Guerin. Cate Blanchett appears as the title character, a relentless crime reporter for The Sunday Independent during the early '90s. Guerin's violent murder in 1996 led to a revision of Ireland's laws and the creation of the Criminal Assets Bureau. The movie picks up with her pursuit of the underground drug trade in Dublin, which she suspects is led by mobster Martin "The General" Cahill (Gerry O'Brien). When Cahill's gang is attacked, she suspects mobster Gerry "The Monk" Hutch (Alan Devine) is responsible. Not deterred by threats or gunshot wounds, she uses thug John Traynor (Ciarán Hinds) as an informer to help out her investigation of psychotic mobster John Gilligan (Gerard McSorley). Schumacher's protégé Colin Farell appears in a small role. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Cate Blanchett - Veronica Guerin
Gerard McSorley - John Gilligan
Ciarán Hinds - John "The Coach" Traynor
Brenda Fricker - Bernadette Guerin
Barry Barnes - Graham Turley

Veronica Guerin plays as a fascinating study of obsession, one that eventually leads to the ultimate sacrifice, and the DVD from Touchstone captures the intelligence of the film nicely. The 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer is quite good, though maybe short of excellent. Colors, especially the prevalent use of reds, often stand out; the conscious use of a specific palette is immediately noticeable. Overall detail is generally strong, but at times does show signs of weakness. Not as impressive, but still well produced, are both 5.1 English Dolby Digital and DTS tracks. Surrounds are used sparingly, and the main focus of the audio is up front, which is not unexpected for this type of dramatic feature. Fortunately, English subtitles are also accessible, as the Irish dialect can be difficult to understand at times. While not extensive, the extra features are certainly noteworthy. Two commentaries, one from director Joel Schumacher and the other with screenwriters Mary Agnes Donoghue and Carol Doyle cover nearly everything associated with the film. And while not particular lengthy or involving, a press-kit style featurette entitled "Public Mask, Private Fears" does add some additional details, with cast and crew interviews. An interesting addition involves the real and the reel: two segments, one a deleted scene of Guerin accepting an award from the C.P.J. (the Committee to Protect Journalists), and the other, the actual award ceremony with the real Veronica Guerin. The differences, and especially the similarities, are fascinating to point out. Finally, two segments feature producer Jerry Bruckheimer. In the first, speaking over shots of the movie, he answers questions about the production in a commentary/interview style, and in the other, he offers a commentary to accompany the photographs he often takes on location. This is a solid disc all around, from picture to supplements, and a worthwhile way to find out about an important figure of recent history. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide