ROCKY with high heels and a skirt

Rating: Null/10 (5 March 2002)

Surprisingly stirring ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE/SILKWOOD combo about a out of work women who gets a low paying job at a law firm and uses it to take on a utility company that is poisoning the water of a small town. Her dedication and perseverance results in a landmark settlement.
There's something definitely UN-cinematic about this by the numbers bio, that at times almost seems like a TV movie of the week with big name stars. Yet the films story is not glossed over going into technical and educating detail on not only the contamination part, but most importantly on the legal process and the many 'strategies' needed to make this case a success. In other words the filmmakers respect the subject and the viewer enough to give you a pretty clear view of what happened.
Has a nice balance between Brokovich's personal and professional life and shows the many obstacles and sacrifices she had to deal with. Filmed with a tinted lens that helps accentuate the dusty,desolate dessert environment and the 'earthiness' of it's citizens. In fact the actors used to play the average, ordinary townsfolk, look so much like the real thing you hardly believe they are actors.
Roberts has always had the body type of Audrey Hepburns, which at times seems almost to slight. Certainly not quite the right type for a tough talking, in your face, down home country girl like Brokovich. Yet she is able to interpret and convey the 'essence' of her character so well that her physical liabilities soon become null. In fact the glares she gives the opposing lawyers, or anyone else that represents the 'evil' utility company, are almost a treat in itself.
Finney also excels here playing completely against type. Usually a very strong presence, here he a plays a frazzled, tired, sixty something lawyer just waiting for retirement. He's pulled back to his fighting spirit by the tenacity of Roberts.
Basically it's ROCKY with high heels, and a short skirt. It succeeds because it's based, believe it or not, on a true story that truly allows the viewer to believe that one individual CAN make a difference. Though there still is a disclaimer at the end of the credits stating that some characters and situations are fictional.
The real Erin Brokovich and Ed Masary appear briefly in a restaurant scene. She is the waitress while he plays a customer looking over Roberts shoulder.