Veronica Guerin (2003)

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writers (WGA):

Carol Doyle (story)
Carol Doyle (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

17 October 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Why would anyone want to kill Veronica Guerin?

Plot:

An Irish journalist is assassinated by drug dealers she wrote about in a series of stories.

Plot Keywords:

Journalist | Veronica Guerin | Drug Lord | Drug Dealer | Reporter

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Cate Blanchett	...	Veronica Guerin
Gerard McSorley	...	John Gilligan
Ciarán Hinds	...	John Traynor
Brenda Fricker	...	Bernie Guerin
Don Wycherley	...	Chris Mulligan
Barry Barnes	...	Graham Turley
Simon O'Driscoll	...	Cathal Turley
Emmet Bergin	...	Aengus Fanning
Charlotte Bradley	...	Anne Harris
Mark Lambert	...	Willie Kealy
Garrett Keogh	...	Tony Gregory
Maria McDermottroe	...	Geraldine Gilligan
Paudge Behan	...	Brian Meehan
Joe Hanley	...	Eugene 'Dutchie' Holland
David Murray	...	Charles Bowden
Karl Sheils	...	Gilligan Gang Member #1 (as Karl Shiels)
Barry McEvoy	...	Gilligan Gang Member #2
Gina Costigan	...	Traynor's Girlfriend
Alan Devine	...	Gerry Hutch
Gerry O'Brien	...	Martin Cahill
Gabrielle Reidy	...	Frances Cahill
Paul Roe	...	Tommy Mullen
David Herlihy	...	Peter 'Fatso' Mitchell
Darragh Kelly	...	Terry Fagan
Colin Farrell	...	Tattooed Boy
Laurence Kinlan	...	Timmy (14-year-old Junkie)
Danielle Fox-Clarke	...	Girl Junkie
Sarah O'Reilly-Maloney	...	Girl Junkie #2
Paul Ronan	...	Jimmy Guerin
Philip O'Sullivan	...	Solicitor
Niall Toibin	...	Judge Ballaugh (as Niall Tobin)
Kevin McHugh	...	Judge at Assault Trial
Joe Taylor	...	Priest (Bernadette's Church)
Vinnie McCabe	...	Priest at Funeral (as Vincent McCabe)
Des Cave	...	Police Spokesman
Luke Hayden	...	Protection Garda #1
Joe Gallagher	...	Protection Garda #2
Ned Dennehy	...	Jamey the Tout
Tommy O'Neill	...	Cahill Thug #1
Shane McCabe	...	Cahill Thug #2
Brian McGuinness	...	Cahill Thug #3
Sally Ann Doddy	...	Mrs. Hutch
Aaron Harris	...	Press Conference Reporter #1
Jonathan White	...	Press Conference Reporter #2
Maggie Wade	...	Coleen the Parole Clerk
Anne Cassin	...	Woman Newscaster (as Ann Cassin)
Elizabeth Moynihan	...	Woman Newscaster #2
Jimmy Greeley	...	Newscaster #1
Brian Dobson	...	Newscaster #2
Kevin Reynolds	...	Studio Interviewer #1
Gerry Ryan	...	Studio Interviewer #2
Barbara Brennan	...	Jealous Journalist #1
Gary Lilburn	...	Jealous Journalist #2
Jane Brennan	...	Jealous Journalist #3
Frank Smith	...	Jealous Journalist #4
Malachy McKenna	...	Male Officer #1
Kieran Hurley	...	Male Officer #2
Terry Byrne	...	Man in Registry Office
Mick Nolan	...	Tax Assessor
Barbara Ryan	...	Aengus' Secretary
Enda Oates	...	Warehouse Worker #1
Martin Dunne	...	Warehouse Worker #2
Helen Norton	...	Witness Nurse #1
Noelle Brown	...	Witness Nurse #2
Veronica Duffy	...	ICU Attendant
Brian Munn	...	Elegant Equestrian
Cathy White	...	Elegant Equestrian Woman
Amy Shiels	...	Gilligan's Mistress
Fiona Glascott	...	Meehan's Girlfriend
Shelly Smith	...	Gang Girlfriend #1
Gráinne de Buitléar	...	Gang Girlfriend #2 (as Grainne Debuitlear)
Emily Kelly	...	Gang Girlfriend #3
Vanessa Keogh	...	Hooker #1

Directed by
Joel Schumacher

Writing credits (WGA)
Carol Doyle		(story)
Carol Doyle		(screenplay) and
Mary Agnes Donoghue		(screenplay)

Produced by
Jerry Bruckheimer	....	producer
Ned Dowd	....	executive producer
James Flynn	....	associate producer
Chad Oman	....	executive producer
Morgan O'Sullivan	....	associate producer
Eli Richbourg	....	associate producer
Pat Sandston	....	associate producer
Mike Stenson	....	executive producer
Paul Tucker	....	associate producer

Original Music by
Harry Gregson-Williams

Cinematography by
Brendan Galvin		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
David Gamble

Casting by
Frank Moiselle
Nuala Moiselle

Production Design by
Nathan Crowley

Art Direction by
Patrick Lumb
Julie Ochipinti

Set Decoration by
Paki Smith

Costume Design by
Joan Bergin

Makeup Department
Martina Byrne	....	additional makeup artist
Dee Corcoran	....	key hair stylist
Lorrie Ann Dobbins	....	hair assistant (as Lorri Ann Dobbins-King)
Sharon Doyle	....	assistant makeup artist
Deirdre Fitzgerald	....	makeup artist
Ailbhe Lemass	....	chief makeup artist
Tina Phelan	....	makeup artist: dailies
Morag Ross	....	makeup artist: Ms. Blanchett

Production Management
Seamus McInerney	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Keith Barry	....	third assistant director
Martin Brennan	....	assistant director
Therese Friel	....	assistant director: second unit
Jeremy Garelick	....	second unit director
Tommy Gormley	....	first assistant director
Sean Griffin	....	assistant director: second unit
Luke Johnston	....	assistant director: second unit
Raymond Kirk	....	assistant director
Marcus Lynch	....	assistant director: second unit
Darren Lyttle	....	trainee assistant director
Owen Magee	....	trainee assistant director
Karen Richards	....	assistant director
Eli Richbourg	....	second unit director
Nick Thomas	....	trainee assistant director
Aoife Thunder	....	assistant director
Neil Winterlich	....	assistant director: additional photography
Neil Winterlich	....	trainee assistant director

Art Department
Graeme Bird	....	model maker
Sandra Campbell	....	art department coordinator
June Connon	....	props
Keith Cullen	....	props
Romek Delmata	....	illustrator
Alan Harvey	....	props
Paul Hedges Jr.	....	props
Darren Kearney	....	painter
Gary McGinty	....	set designer
Laura McKinney	....	assistant buyer
Philip Murphy	....	props
Antony Neugant	....	props
Tony Nicholson Jr.	....	supervising propsman
Brendan Rankin	....	set designer
Frank Matthews	....	master plasterer (uncredited)

Sound Department
Nigel Bennett	....	sound
Paula Boram	....	foley artist
Colin Cooper	....	adr mixer
John Downer	....	supervising sound editor
Andrew Felton	....	sound trainee
John Fitzgerald	....	adr mixer
Kieran Horgan	....	production sound mixer
Paul McFadden	....	adr editor
Sarah Morton	....	adr editor
Sarah Morton	....	dialogue editor
Robin O'Donoghue	....	sound re-recording mixer
Esther Smith	....	sound technician
Richard Street	....	sound re-recording mixer
Ian Tapp	....	foley recordist
Oliver Tarney	....	sound editor
James Fox	....	sound trainee (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Aidan Byrne	....	senior special effects technician
Kevin Byrne	....	special effects supervisor
Paul Byrne	....	special effects technician
Gerry P. Farrell	....	special effects technician
Jimmy Lumsden	....	special effects technician
Kevin Nolan	....	special effects technician

Visual Effects by
Giacomo Bargellesi	....	rotoscope artist (as Giacomo Bargellesi-Severi)
Joel Behrens	....	visual effects: Asylum
David A.T. Bowman	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Lindsay Burnett	....	visual effects producer: Asylum
Grant Connor	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Rob Delicata	....	visual effects shoot producer: Mill Film
Guy Elson	....	digital roto artist: Mill Film
Lorea Hoye	....	visual effects producer: Mill Film
Jay Mallet	....	effects camera operator: Mill Film
Rob Moggach	....	digital compositor
Steve Murgatroyd	....	visual effects supervisor: Mill Film
Ian Plumb	....	digital compositor: Mill Film
Craig Rowe	....	digital roto artist: Mill Film
Simon Stanley-Clamp	....	visual effects shoot supervisor: Mill Film
Bridget M. Taylor	....	digital artist: Asylum VFX
Lars Vinther	....	visual effects editor: Mill Film
Malcolm Woolridge	....	visual effects cameraman: Mill Film
Marilyn Anderson	....	technical assistant manager: Mill Film (uncredited)
Mark Bakowski	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Sara Bennett	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Tim Caplan	....	I/O supervisor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Colin Coull	....	colour timer: Mill Film (uncredited)
Areito Echevarria	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Joey Harris	....	technical assistant: Mill Film (uncredited)
Laurent Hugueniot	....	digital artist: Mill Film (uncredited)
Pete Jopling	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Patricia Llaguno	....	technical assistant: Mill Film (uncredited)
Mark Michaels	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Ray Moody	....	visual effects clapper loader: Mill Film (uncredited)
Del Murphy	....	stagehand: Mill Film (uncredited)
David Phillips	....	digital compositor: Mill Film (uncredited)
Leigh Raby	....	filmout manager: Mill Film (uncredited)
Jim Steel	....	digital compositor: MillFilm (uncredited)

Stunts
Reggie Blain	....	stunt performer
Kelly Dent	....	stunt double: Cate Blanchett
Laura Fox	....	stunt performer
Dominick Hewitt	....	stunt performer (as Dominic Hewitt)
Giedrius Nagys	....	stunts
Donal O'Farrell	....	stunt driver
Gary Robinson	....	stunt performer (as Gareth Robinson)
Alan Walsh	....	stunt performer
Philippe Zone	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Alan Butler	....	focus puller
Donal Caulfield	....	additional camera operator
John Conroy	....	assistant camera
John Conroy	....	focus puller
Tadhg Conway	....	key video assist operator
Adam Dale	....	aerial director of photography
Richie Egan	....	crane grip
Sarah Francis	....	assistant camera
David Grennan	....	focus puller: second unit
Malcolm Huse	....	grip: second unit
Patric Kickham	....	video assist operator
Michael McDermott	....	gaffer
Philip McKeon	....	assistant camera
Des Whelan	....	camera operator
J. Glyn Williams	....	first assistant camera: aerial unit (uncredited)

Casting Department
Frank Moiselle	....	casting
Nuala Moiselle	....	casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sandra O'Toole	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Steve Farman	....	negative cutter
Tami Goldman	....	post-production coordinator
Oliver Grigsby	....	post-production assistant
Peter Hunt	....	color timer
Anna Maria O'Flanagan	....	assistant editor
Dana Suman	....	post-production assistant
Matthew Tucker	....	first assistant editor
Tim Waller	....	senior colorist

Music Department
Kim Carroll	....	musician: guitar
Toby Chu	....	composer: additional music
Toby Chu	....	musician: guitars
Sophie Cornet	....	co-music editor
Bruce Fowler	....	orchestrator
Meri Gavin	....	assistant to composer (as Mery Gavin)
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor
Michael A. Levine	....	composer: additional music
Hugh Marsh	....	musician: violin
Gretchen O'Neal	....	music production supervisor
Maggie Rodford	....	music supervisor
Marc Streitenfeld	....	supervising music editor
Paul Kegg	....	musician: cello (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Brendan King	....	unit driver
Eamonn Murphy	....	transportation coordinator
Michael Phelan	....	driver: Joel Schumacher

Other crew
Claire Baker	....	executive assistant: Mr. Schumacher
Jean Bourne	....	script supervisor
Kate Bowe	....	unit publicist
Andrea Bruce	....	assistant: Mr. Bruckheimer
Dan Camins	....	assistant: Mr. Bruckheimer
John K. Campbell	....	assistant: Mr. Bruckheimer
Gillian Cody	....	first assistant accountant
Maria Collins	....	production coordinator
Robert Dawson	....	title designer
Adrian Devane	....	assistant: Ned Dowd
Ray Felipe	....	script researcher
Sonya Gildea	....	production assistant: Jerry Bruckheimer (as Sonya Supple)
Jennifer Griffin	....	assistant accountant
Brendan Gunn	....	dialogue coach
Gabriela Gutentag	....	marketing consultant
Warren Haughey	....	production assistant
Eoin Holohan	....	assistant location manager
Carrie B. Jones	....	assistant: Mr. Bruckheimer
Dorothy McDonnell	....	assistant coordinator
John McKenna	....	armorer
Frances O'Reilly	....	assistant: Ms. Blanchett
Allyson Rech	....	runner
Erika Roberts	....	assistant: Mr. Schumacher
Justin Sperandeo	....	assistant: Mr. Bruckheimer
Travis Tarr	....	intern
Clodagh Tierney	....	location manager
Liam Tuohy	....	adr voice
Mary Viola	....	assistant to producer
Ed Walton	....	assistant: Mr. Stenson
Joan Washington	....	dialect coach
Anthony Whelan	....	production assistant
Andrew Wilson	....	assistant location manager

Production Companies

• Touchstone Pictures (presents)
• Jerry Bruckheimer Films (presents)
• Merrion Film Productions
• Persevere Productions Ltd.
• World 2000 Entertainment

Distributors

• Buena Vista Pictures (2003) (USA) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Italia (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical) (limited)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (UK) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2004) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Gaumont Buena Vista International (GBVI) (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2007) (UK) (TV) (BBC1)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE) (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Entertainment (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Buena Vista Home Video (2004) (USA) (VHS)
• Canvas (2007) (Belgium) (TV)
• Net5 (2006) (Netherlands) (TV) (first national airing)

Special Effects

• The Mill (visual effects)
• Cine Image Film Opticals (end titles)
• Visual Effects Company, The (motion control)

Other Companies

• Hyperactive Broadcast  editing equipment
• Act One Script Clearance  script research
• Anvil Post Production  foley recording
• Artmedia Loops Ltd.  loop group
• Blowup  stills production
• Donna Daniels Public Relations  publicity
• Flying Pictures  aerial filming services provided by
• Gearbox Sound and Vision  additional ProTools systems supplied by
• Goldcrest Post Production London  adr recorded at
• Hollywood Records  soundtrack
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Shepperton Studios  sound re-recording
• Technicolor  color timing

Also Known As:

Chasing the Dragon: The Veronica Guerin Story (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some drug content.

Runtime:

98 min | USA:92 min

Country:

USA | Ireland | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Indonesia:Dewasa | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 (w) | Ireland:15PG | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #39463)

Filming Locations:

Dublin Airport, County Dublin, Ireland

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

The dance scene where Veronica dances with her family to "Everlasting Love" was added in on the spot by Cate Blanchett.

Goofs:

Factual errors: During the epilogue, it is claimed that in an emergency Parliament session, the Government altered the Constitution. This is inaccurate for two reasons. Firstly, no such amendment of the Constitution occurred. Secondly, when an amendment is made, the Government alone does not have the authority to enact it: it may only propose such amendments to the people, in the form of a referendum.

Quotes:

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

Movie Connections:

References It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Soundtrack:

Funeral Song

Praise be to the courageous journalist we can trust to keep our world safe...

This biographical drama grips me so emotionally from the beginning to the end. The contents are so intense that I could literally feel the strain on my body muscles at its end. Cate Blanchett's performance as Veronica Guerin is top-notched. She brings out a character that Ireland can proudly call a true daughter. Guerin was one journalist whose professionalism and belief prevented her from kowtowing to any corrupted system - even the threat of death. Director Joel Schumacher has created a powerful movie that pays true honor to Guerin.

This film has a superb cast of actors. Their characters come through the screen as very real people. Gerard McSorley's impressive performance as John Gilligan will be unforgettable. Oh yes, watch out for Colin Ferrel's cameo. Director Joel Schumacher's way of introducing the audience to the Sunday Independent newspaper's investigative journalist is so appropriate. It generated my curiosity and urge to get behind the uncanny story of the martyred icon. Yep, I was mesmerized by the Guerin character, following and watching every move and act this energetic woman made – up to a point I started gasping with disbelief. Then the flashback followed. Oh yes, every scene flowed with immense power and spirit to document Guerin's suicidal fanaticism and mission. In a very impressively dramatic, yet easy-to-follow, well paced-way, the story of Guerin's background unfolds. I witnessed the type of dangerous and trouble-filled environment facing her. I saw her as a workaholic mother, surrounded by loving family members who were willing to compromise to her very unconventional traits. I was given hints that there was a softer side within her that she refused to make public. The film provides very subtle indications that speak of Guerin's unusual urge to stay a winner – even as a young girl.

This film carries enough shocking scenes to make me understand the driving force behind her seemingly senseless acts. Every word in the dialogue did fill the gap, offering me a better understanding of her character. Blanchett definitely breathes life into the Guerin character with phenomenal credibility and vitality, allowing her personality to shine with such unique journalistic dedication, honesty, courage, determination and obsession. What I see on screen is a woman with true guts – an absolute winner. `I vow that the eyes of justice, the eyes of this journalist will not be shut again,` Blanchett's character has said. `No hand can deter me from my battle for the truth.' Repeatedly, I saw her facing death threats and physical attacks. My anxiety continued to crush me as I watch the evil surrounding her.

Does it always have to take a murder of a tenacious person to channel out public outcry, disgust and legislative actions to fight a crime? Veronica Guerin paid a price for devoting her career and life to exposing Dublin's drug barons and underworld leaders. I salute her. Like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, she belongs to the best category of journalists who will make the world a safer place to live. This film captures the same vitality as the inspirational ‘Bloody Sunday.' It's definitely a film not to miss.

A+