Good Movie but Overhyped ***Spoilers***

Rating: 8/10 (21 January 2003)

"Erin Brokovich" is a slick, big budget, A-List movie starring Julia Roberts. But it's not your typical Julia Roberts vehicle, in other words, it's not a romantic comedy. "Erin Brokovich" is a docu-drama, the material seemingly more attuned to an HBO made-for-TV movie than a weekend opener. But in the hands of Steven Soderberg, a very watchable movie is the result. Very watchable, but in my opinion, not deserving all the Oscar attention it got in 2001.
My gripe is two-fold. First, there is no real drama, no tension. Everything the heroine attempts works out great. Finds a job, finds an understanding boyfriend, gets the bad guys, gets rich. Maybe that's how it went down in real life, but it's not very dramatic (or comedic).
Secondly, even though this is not a romantic comedy it is still very much a Julia Roberts flick. Her smile and body (especially her breasts) are on constant display. This flick is her show through and through and everyone else is just a prop.
So, does this make it a bad movie? No, it's a very good movie, just over-hyped and over rewarded.