Saving Veronica. Review on Veronica Guerin

Veronica Guerin (played by CateBlanchett) is not the usual stuff. The movie is based on the life of an Irish journalist who was shot dead by drug mafia men when she persisted on exposing them. Its a movie for those who like to read or hear brave and true tales.

A week back, Veronica Guerin was a strange name for me. Despite having no clue on Veronica's background I picked the movie. My blind faith worked and Veronica's story has inspired me in some small way.

Veronica was a print journalist and used to write feature stories. She started taking interest in crime reporting just for a change. The break from feature reporting changed her life. She came across heroin dealers in her locality and began writing about them. The drug peddlers had the backing of a politician (played by Gerald McSorley).

There is this scene when Veronica ventures out all alone to question John Gilligan (McSorley). Gilliganis a pschopath and has a lose temper. He punches and kicks a surprised Veronica and puts her back in her car. Gilligan screams ather, “Get out of my property!”

Veronica through this movie comes across as a passionate and a fearless woman. She owned a red car which she drove around the city at a break neck speeds. Was caught many a time but always managed to escape because of her popularity.

It is pointless to describe what happened in the movie. The film is more about the affect. There is a short term affect and a long term. The last scene when Veronica is shot makes you sit up. Immediately after the scene the verdict is read out. The Irish junta wages a war against the drug related crimes in Dublin. The criminals are caught. Gilligan is sent to jail after a long court battle. All that makes one salute Veronica Guerin.

A week has passed. More than the movie,Veronica's spirit and courage keeps criss crossing my thoughts.Veronica I guess had options. She was in a position to either chicken out or go on. She chose the latter. Had she took the easy route shewould have cheated her profession. She faced odds, took risks but could not save her life. But her sacrifice did not go in vain.

I guess that's my review. That is all I want to write on this subject. I actually do not want to put in my opinion but cannot skip it either. Today journalists across the world are putting their life at risk to churn out stories that affect our lives. Stories that have the power to change our lives albeit not entirely on their own strength. The citizens support is of immense value in this context. Its really important that we as citizens act on news stories. (act and not react). Media is a facilitator. It cannot remove the evil that part is for the citizens to play.

Do watch this movie.