Tense Veronica

Joel Schumacher takes another trip out of Hollywood and into the indie hinterland.

This biopic follows Guerin, a brave but pig-headed Irish journalist who tracked down and exposed drug criminals despite intimidation and batterings until, eventually, they murdered her.

Cate Blanchett (pictured, with Ciaran Hinds) is superb as Guerin, alight with quicksilver charm as she gaily jettisons common sense for the sake of great exposè journalism.

Schumacher never probes beneath the surface but, as far as it goes, this is a highly watchable film.