Film Review: Erin Brockovich

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Released in 2000 just as Soderbergh was beginning to make a name for himself in Hollywood, between this and Traffic which was also released in the same year he formally put himself on the map with multiple Oscar nominations. The film is based on the life of Erin Brockovich and she even makes a cameo appearance as a waitress early in the movie.

In 1993, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is an unemployed single mother of three children, who has recently been injured in a traffic accident with a doctor and is suing him. Her lawyer, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), expects to win, but Erin's explosive courtroom behavior under cross-examination loses her the case. One day he arrives at work to find her in the office, appearing to do work. She says that he told her things would work out and they didn't, and that she needed a job. He feels bad for her, and decides to give her a try at the office. She then begins to work on cases for him and end sup being embroiled in a complex legal dispute with a large corporation.

Erin Brokovich (Julia Roberts) at her desk

Julia Roberts is simply superb in the role of the single mother just trying to make ends meet, her quick wit and blunt demeanor in conversation really add a comedic element to a serious movie. Roberts carries every scene she is in and quickly become a very likable character to root for as the film unfolds which is critical for a movie of this kind.

The film is apparently reasonably accurate in comparison to real life with only minor amendments made, although apparently the real life boyfriend George wanted to sue over his depiction in the movie. Soderbergh once again scores with another utterly compelling drama as we watch the battle between the masses of the public against a major corporation with much bigger legal backing. Its an easy cause to root for in a movie but with Erin Brokovich as the spearhead you hope they win for her sake as well.

3.5/4 Feel good story interlaced with a sharp sense of humour