Die Journalistin

Von Cate Blanchett ist es eine ausgezeichnet gespielte One-Woman-Show. Während der letzten 10 Minuten werden die Zuschauer*innen weinen, der Gesamteindruck ist aber trotzdem ein bisschen platt. Es ist prima, dass das Drehbuch im Hinblick auf die realen Ereignisse so glaubwürdig und komplex wie möglich sein wollte. Wenn sich dieses Werk mehr dem privaten Leben der Hauptheldin und der beiden Hauptschufte gewidmet hätte (stattdessen zeigt es fünf weitere unwichtige Schufte), wäre es ein richtig beeindruckender Film geworden. Aus Veronicas Ermittlung, die sowieso keine Pointe hat (die Details sind also nicht so wichtig wie in ausgefeilten fiktiven Thrillern), hätte man nur die Dinge nehmen sollen, die für die Steigerung des Films wichtig waren. Dieser basiert doch auf anderen Regeln als eine TV-Reportage. Joel Schumacher hat aus Veronicas Geschichte eine solide, kalte Aussage gemacht. Ron Howard würde daraus eine tolle Hollywood-Limonade machen. Am besten würde mir eine Kombination dieser Konzepte gefallen. (12.02.2006)

A boring, calculated movie that turns an amazingly powerful life story about a stubborn journalist into a “Hollywood-style" pleasant biographical movie where everything is white (everything around Veronica), black (the Irish underworld and villains) or simply blackmailing on gut level (kids playing amongst syringes, oh, isn’t that awful, vicar). In terms of workmanship solid, but what good is that if the only real asset is, unsurprisingly, the Cate Blanchett and Ciarán Hinds duo. And they give more like their regular acting performances, rather than excelling especially. I would like to see the same story, preferably with the same cast, in an HBO production. (04.11.2008)

Whatever anyone says, I consider this a good film based on a true story. In the gripping film set in the drug environment, Cate Blanchett convincingly portrayed a journalist who ultimately paid with her own life in the fight for a better future for her loved ones and the entire nation. If her sacrifice prompted the kind of changes mentioned in the closing credits, it was not in vain. Amen to the memory of the courageous Veronica Guerin. (75%) (07.04.2021)

Jerry Bruckheimer, the grand producer of grand films with grand budgets, has ventured into the waters of a civilian film. Veronica Guerin's life, which I know nothing about, was certainly more eventful than what the creators presented in the film. Director Joel Schumacher cannot be criticized for achieving at least a minimal runtime by including unnecessary (the scene with the Irish pub featuring Colin Farrell), gratuitous (the emotionally charged walk among drugged children), and unnecessarily prolonged (the entire ending is presented in slow motion) scenes. Schumacher unwittingly undermines the film right from the start by placing the ending, which should have been at least five seconds longer, in the opening scene. Cate Blanchett's performance in the lead role leaves a tired impression and reduces the level of engagement to almost zero. It’s sufficient as a documentary, but below average as a film drama about human determination. PS: The film features another stunning musical composition by Harry Gregson-Williams. (10.06.2005)