Slightly above average movie

Rating: Null/10 (4 April 2000)

Having seen the previews, I admit I was expecting something pretty interesting. A classic good vs. evil, David vs. Goliath-themed movie based on a true story. It had the potential to be a pretty entertaining movie. That is why I guess I was a little disappointed.
True, there were those classic one-liners and most of the times likable Julia Roberts was there. However, I felt that aside from Julia Roberts' character Erin, all the other characters seem to be cast aside, and honestly, extremely wimpy and instantly dislikable. And, even Julia, at times, was getting pretty irritating with her mood swings and self-pity fits. The head lawyer, Ed Masry, seems like a very unlikely person to have been a lawyer, being the big softie that he is in the movie. The movie was also a little long, with many long stretches where essentially, nothing happens, or it is a repetition of other events.
Having gotten that out of my system, there were of course some redeeming qualities in the movie. Julia Roberts' character is strong, fun and likable most of the times. Her lines when she is telling off her boss or enemies are very funny and quite enjoyable! The essential feel-good feeling the audience gets of having won against the big bad corporation was definitely felt in the crowd and that is a definite plus. Finally, having maybe expected a little too much from the movie, I was mildly disappointed, but this is nevertheless a pretty decent movie and I do recommend it, though it is, in my humble opinion, definitely not Oscar material.