The unlikely heroine

Rating: Null/10 (17 September 2015)

The movie Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is based on a real story and gives the audience a heroine version of David and Goliath. Never portrayed as a martyr, Erin, a twice-divorced mother of 3, continues to fight for a job so she can provide for her family. Even though Erin is constantly viewed as unqualified and undereducated, we see a woman who uses her street smarts, quick wit, and sarcasm to level the playing field and be the unlikely heroine.
Injured in a car accident, Erin hires attorney Ed Masry (Albert Finney), who arrogantly reassures her that she would be victorious. But when the judge didn't agree, Erin went to Ed looking for a job. As Erin senses his hesitation, she asks him not to make her beg, and hesitantly Ed hires her as a file clerk.
As Erin eagerly learns the ropes, she tries to understand why medical documents are in with real estate sales. With permission from Ed, Erin goes out into the field. As she speaks to residents and finds conflicting documentation at the County water plant she seeks out a toxicologist at UCLA. It is then that she starts to uncover Pacific Gas and Electric's (PG&E) dark secrets.
Erin overcame judgmental attorneys daily, but it was watching her reaction to her boyfriend George (Aaron Eckhart) that had me rooting for her from the couch. As he blamed her job for his loneliness and taking her time away from her children, George proves he is just like the other men in her life. They all leave when they don't get what they want. Erin sees that the personality traits that have held her back for so long is what makes her the voice for the residents of Hinkley.
The cinematography gives the audience multiple points of view, but it is the subjective point of view that allows the audience to connect emotionally with the residents of Hinkley. As Erin talks to Annabelle Daniels, a 10-year-old girl who is fighting a brain tumor, the camera zooms in for a close-up that shows the suffering and fear that the Daniels family is going through. The use of natural lighting was another effect that added to the realistic setting throughout the movie. As Erin and George drive out to give Donna Jenson the news from the settlement we can see the colors and glow from the sunset as it not only warmed their faces but also the land around them. The sun gave a natural warmth as it radiated off the sand and sparse greenage. The audience gets to see both sides of Erin the compassion and empathy that she has for the families of Hinkley and the brutally honest unfiltered side she uses when she feels that she isn't being respected by co-workers and other attorneys. The natural lighting that was used created a visually soft side of Erin in direct contrast to the tone of the character; as if putting a spotlight on the unlikely heroine.
The character Erin Brockovich is similar to Vivian Ward (Pretty Women), also played by Roberts. Both women were judged by the outside world but used their street smarts, wit, and sarcasm to win over the hearts of the viewers and the other characters in the movie.