When the Sky Falls

From the opening scenes this film brought back the memories of shocking headlines from the recent past through which we have lived. Fictionalised maybe, but very close to the reality. Each scene struck home. These were our headlines. This was Dublin in the grip of drug barons. This is how it was. A wonderful cast brought it all to life again. If I have a minus note it is that the names were changed. I wonder why, but I suppose there may have been legal reasons. We in Dublin know the real names. The criminlas are now behind bars. This is a story of our time. It should be compulsory viewing for all. For the lawless that they be warned. For the lawful that they may never forget. It was a great American who said that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance!

Having watched this *after* seeing the more recent Veronica Guerin (2003), I can only say: don't bother with this one if you want the real story. While this is an interesting story, they must have been hampered by lawyers as it uses precisely no real names and leaves you wondering if it was all made up. Sadly (or thankfully, depending on how you look at it) it wasn't made up, but see Cate Blanchett playing Guerin for real and you'll get a much better idea of what happened.

How ANYONE rated this movie more than 3 stars is ridiculous! Worst acting. A bunch of staring at the sky, sulking, and wooden performances.

Lame story, lame relationships, JUST LAME!

Avoid it 😳

The name Joan Allen, so often associated with high quality, is used to attract innocent video renters to this film. They will be disappointed. What is alleged to be the story of a brave Irish journalist is instead a two-part mystery: a) why did Joan Allen agree to do this film? and b) what were all those people with thick brogues saying? Not only was a good deal of the dialogue unintelligible, but the film seemed like it began in the middle of the story, which was disconcerting - among so much that was disconcerting. A very dissipated Patrick Bergin, a long way from Sleeping with the Enemy, plays a frustrated cop. There's enough graphic violence, swearing with Irish brogues and skeevy looking characters to make three more films. No, thanks, one was MORE than enough.

(2000) When The Sky Falls THRILLER/ DRAMA

Initially a made-for-TV movie, now available on DVD starring Joan Allen as Irish crime-investigating reporter Sinead Hamilton, investigating the death of a person named Martin Shaughnessy, and his connection to the IRA as well as other unethical practices regarding drugs being sold to minor children. Although, it's based on an actual person, at least 75% of the movie has been fabricated, particularly the scenes how some of Dublin's police are being treated by the criminal public. In this movie, people can be assaulted and still get away with it, since it's the ridiculous my-word-against-yours sort of thing. And women are allowed to get assaulted by men with criminal records for trespassing, for the movie is so ludicrous, we don't even get to witness the court proceedings about how some people are able to get away from it- only that they're able to beat the system. If it wasn't for Joan Allen's acting this movie would've been too unbearable to watch.