Erin Brockovich (2000)

Erin Brockovich: Directed by Steven Soderbergh. With Julia Roberts, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Albert Finney. An unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city’s water supply.

“If I didnu0026#39;t know it was based on a u0026quot;trueu0026quot; story I might have dismissed this movie as u0026quot;unrealisticu0026quot;, particularly in the first half hour or so when it started off like another Julia Roberts comedy. At the beginning the film appears to focus primarily on her wardrobe, her foul language, and the developing romance with the u0026quot;boy next dooru0026quot;, whom she initially dislikes. As it turns out, the actual story, according to the bonus features on the DVD was even more melodramatic than the filmu0026#39;s. The real Erin actually got sick to the point of hospitalization from the chromium in Hinkley. The director wisely decided to cut out this part of the story, to avoid making her too much of a martyr. Another aspect while not totally ignored (she does mention at least once that sheu0026#39;s a u0026quot;slow readeru0026quot;) but underplayed is Erinu0026#39;s dyslexia. This makes her accomplishments all the more amazing! Personally, I think this fact could have been emphasized more, as no doubt it was a big factor behind her u0026quot;attitudeu0026quot; problems – her combativeness toward people with more education than herself, her struggles in finding a job, perhaps even in her efforts to accentuate her physical attractiveness through her outrageous clothing. All in all I found it an enjoyable and enlightening story – the triumph of a unique individual whose determination, empathy, and sense of moral duty ultimately outweigh her abrasiveness and lack of social graces. And largely why she triumphs is her partnership with an intelligent and decent lawyer in Ed Masry. What a refreshing departure from the usual Hollywood stereotype! On many occasions, he effectively counters Erinu0026#39;s prejudices with rational explanations how and why the legal system works the way it does, and why lawyers behave the way they do. With her passion and his reason, they make a great team. Now if only the movie hadnu0026#39;t fallen into the old Hollywood trap of giving its leading lady more outfits than is realistic for someone of her economic status. The point that Erin dressed provocatively and this caused problems with her co-workers could have easily been made with just 3 or 4 costumes. Other than that, it was a good movie – great performances and a wonderful story.”