Synopsis:

A truer title for the film would be, "The high price of the Truth". Dublin, Ireland, 1996. Amidst the chaos of rampant unemployment, widespread alcoholism, the ongoing fracas between the Catholics and the Protestants, not too mention, the IRA, a lone investigative journalist takes it upon herself to shine a light on Dublin's "dirty little war". Heroin has made its mark in Dublin and is finding it's way into the hands of the young. Determined to fight the pushers and drug barons with the press, Sinead Hamilton wages a one-woman war against the drug peddlers that are infesting Dublin. Married and the mother of a loving son, she places her life on the line everyday in the hopes that she'll make the difference needed to force the drug kingpins out of business. "In a city where criminals are getting away with murder, and the IRA is getting the blame, Sinead Hamilton is determined to reveal what no one else has the courage to do. Aided by a veteran cop, Hamilton uncovers a conspiracy so vast it promises to shake Ireland to its core. Every truth is wrapped in a lie and every lead is part of a set-up that makes every step she takes quite possibly her last". -Back of the box spin. Based on the life of real life Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, When the Sky Falls presents an honest look at the high price of truth and integrity.

Audio/Video:

The audio is presented in a DD5.1 platform that sports a very nice sonic transfer. The surrounds are put to good use and the sub is brought into play just enough to round out the platform. A Director's Commentary track is provided by, Director, John Mackenzie. It covers everything from the time period in which the film is set, to the selection of the appropriate score, used throughout the feature. The video is a widescreen presentation that is fairly grainy but otherwise adequately presented. The colors presented tend to be drab and dull and the flesh tones are pallid.

Extras:

A 25-minute featurette is included that chronicles not only the making of the film but the life of Veronica Guerin as well. Of all the contributors included in this segment, none but Patrick Bergen, Joan Allen and Pete Postlehwaite are identified. The featurette expands on many of the sentiments provided by the Director in his commentary by echoing a goodly number of his points that are both historically and dramatically important to the telling of the story. The film's trailer is included as well.

Overall:

When the Sky Falls is a powerful biopic on a journalist who literally put her money where her mouth was. She led a charge against crime that garnered her few friends and even fewer accolades. She wasn't a superhero and she had none of the trappings of a "traditional" crime fighter. But, she did have a desire to see justice done and the lives of the innocent put back on track. Veronica Guerin was a credit to her profession and a great human being. This telling of her life's work is definitely recommended.