SUBMITTED BY Timbo

October 20, 2003 — Cate Blanchett, who has a knack for tackling true-life characters (Elizabeth) and a facility with accents, had tongues wagging she would be well-placed for an Oscar by portraying sympathetic, tragic heroine. But now, with poor reviews and weak box office, Cate may have to wait for another year.

Veronica Guerin was billed as an Oscar vehicle for the Australian actress but a dismal American opening and mixed reviews from critics could make the film disappear from US theatres months before Oscar voters choose their nominees.

"It pretty effectively squelches her Oscar chances for this film," Brandon Gray, president of US box office tracker boxofficemojo.com, said today.

"The box office isn't the factor, but it is a significant factor because if the movie is only in theatres for a short time it falls out of voters' memories."

Veronica Guerin earned just $US603,000 ($A870,758) at the North American box office on the weekend despite appearing in 472 theatres.

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