Julia Roberts and Albert Finney

Rating: Null/10 (6 September 2005)

May contain spoilers --
Erin Brokovich (Julia Roberts) is based on a true story about an environmental lawsuit and the woman who championed it. Roberts is a single, unemployed mother of three who can't make ends meet. Desperate, she bullies lawyer Ed Masry (Albert Finney) into giving her a filing job. She becomes inquisitive about some files of clients who live in the small town of Hinkley adjacent a PG&E electric plant. Many of the residents have become very ill. She interviews one woman Donna Jensen (Marg Helgenberger) and presents evidence to Ed that PG&E may have been involved in a cover-up. Erin Brokovich is a crusader movie in which David takes on Goliath, the little guy stands up to the evil corporation. Although the message of the movie is very serious director Steven Soderbergh keeps the film entertaining. The relationship between Roberts and Finney is well-done and their bickering is amusing. As always, Finney gives an outstanding performance. Roberts won an Oscar in the role although it was hard to forget she is a major movie star playing an ordinary person. Peter Coyote as a big time lawyer and Aaron Eckhart as Julia's biker boyfriend also appear.