Erin Brockovich (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), an unemployed single mom, becomes a legal assistant & almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city's water supply in 'Erin Brockovich', a true story directed by Steven Soderbergh. This film is smart, involving, well-acted & moving. It's an entertaining movie for everyone. And Julia Roberts & Albert Finney lend 2 of their brightest performances to date.
The movie begins with Erin being broadsided by a speeding car at an intersection; and as a single mom of 3, has very little options of what to do next. She takes her case to overwhelmed lawyer, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), who hesitantly agrees to represent her on a contingency basis. However, her in-front-of-the-jury demeanor does nothing to help their cause; what with her revealing outfits, profane language, & general roughness. Needless to say, they go home empty-handed. Desperate, & facing unemployment (and with bills to pay), Erin goes for broke by begging & pleading with Ed for a position as a file clerk in his office. He hesitantly (once again) he gives her a chance. When a suspicious 'pro bono' real estate file drops across her desk, Erin becomes interested & begins investigating.
She soon discovers that the h20 supply of the property in question 'may' have been contaminated with hexavalent chromium, a highly toxic compound that results in cancerous victims. And after meeting a plethora of these victims (and trying to convince them to testify), she accumulates enough ammunition to convince Ed to pursue the class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. head-on. But fighting a $28,000,000,000 corporation in court is intimidating; and Ed doesn't know if his efforts/energy would prove lucrative for him (and Erin) by the end of it all. Running parallel to this main plot is Erin's unstable home life. The amount of time she spends working puts a strain not only on her 3 kids, but also on her romantic relationship with next-door neighbor, George (a compassionate Aaron Eckhart). Babysitting her children, it is HE who catches her daughter's first words, not she. Is this all worth it for Erin?
There are no big courtroom scenes in 'Erin Brockovich'. No 2 minute-long speeches. No sappy sentimental goop. Instead, the movie uses wit & sensibility to drive home its intriguing story. And though it isn't a conventional thriller, it still thrills us because #1) it's a true story, & #2) it's enjoyable to watch an underdog do their thing. Erin & Ed vs. a huge multi-billion dollar corporation -- THAT'S something to see. With all the corruption in today's legal world, it's satisfying to see those who fight for justice (and the recipients of that justice) prevail. Another reason for the movie's success is that it's so well-rounded. We watch as she obsesses over the case; becomes emotionally involved with the people of Hinkley, California; and earns respect among her peers ... but we also see how her legal work infringes on her time with her boyfriend & children. Soderbergh lets us experience all the angles.
Julia Roberts is awesome in the title role. Not only does she encapsulate the foul-mouthed, zesty, ball-bashing Erin Brockovich, but she also shows incredible dramatic aptitude. I never doubted that Roberts had this much range, but she's never been able to fully use it until now. And Albert Finney deserves an Oscar nomination for his turn as Ed Masry. His scenes with Roberts crackle with intensity. And their employer/employee relationship is refreshingly unique. 'EB' makes no apologies for its constant use of obscenities; THAT'S Erin Brockovich. And because she's so passionate about everything she does, we both forgive & love her for it. Free of any sex scenes (none were necessary anyway), 'EB' is a film that the 18-25ers, the middle-agers, & the elderly can watch, respect & enjoy.
The movie begins with Erin being broadsided by a speeding car at an intersection; and as a single mom of 3, has very little options of what to do next. She takes her case to overwhelmed lawyer, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), who hesitantly agrees to represent her on a contingency basis. However, her in-front-of-the-jury demeanor does nothing to help their cause; what with her revealing outfits, profane language, & general roughness. Needless to say, they go home empty-handed. Desperate, & facing unemployment (and with bills to pay), Erin goes for broke by begging & pleading with Ed for a position as a file clerk in his office. He hesitantly (once again) he gives her a chance. When a suspicious 'pro bono' real estate file drops across her desk, Erin becomes interested & begins investigating.
She soon discovers that the h20 supply of the property in question 'may' have been contaminated with hexavalent chromium, a highly toxic compound that results in cancerous victims. And after meeting a plethora of these victims (and trying to convince them to testify), she accumulates enough ammunition to convince Ed to pursue the class action lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Co. head-on. But fighting a $28,000,000,000 corporation in court is intimidating; and Ed doesn't know if his efforts/energy would prove lucrative for him (and Erin) by the end of it all. Running parallel to this main plot is Erin's unstable home life. The amount of time she spends working puts a strain not only on her 3 kids, but also on her romantic relationship with next-door neighbor, George (a compassionate Aaron Eckhart). Babysitting her children, it is HE who catches her daughter's first words, not she. Is this all worth it for Erin?
There are no big courtroom scenes in 'Erin Brockovich'. No 2 minute-long speeches. No sappy sentimental goop. Instead, the movie uses wit & sensibility to drive home its intriguing story. And though it isn't a conventional thriller, it still thrills us because #1) it's a true story, & #2) it's enjoyable to watch an underdog do their thing. Erin & Ed vs. a huge multi-billion dollar corporation -- THAT'S something to see. With all the corruption in today's legal world, it's satisfying to see those who fight for justice (and the recipients of that justice) prevail. Another reason for the movie's success is that it's so well-rounded. We watch as she obsesses over the case; becomes emotionally involved with the people of Hinkley, California; and earns respect among her peers ... but we also see how her legal work infringes on her time with her boyfriend & children. Soderbergh lets us experience all the angles.
Julia Roberts is awesome in the title role. Not only does she encapsulate the foul-mouthed, zesty, ball-bashing Erin Brockovich, but she also shows incredible dramatic aptitude. I never doubted that Roberts had this much range, but she's never been able to fully use it until now. And Albert Finney deserves an Oscar nomination for his turn as Ed Masry. His scenes with Roberts crackle with intensity. And their employer/employee relationship is refreshingly unique. 'EB' makes no apologies for its constant use of obscenities; THAT'S Erin Brockovich. And because she's so passionate about everything she does, we both forgive & love her for it. Free of any sex scenes (none were necessary anyway), 'EB' is a film that the 18-25ers, the middle-agers, & the elderly can watch, respect & enjoy.