An entertaining film about a remarkable woman

Rating: 8/10 (7 January 2002)

"This film is based on a true story". So goes the prologue to the film version of the life of Erin Brokovich. The word "based" gives the writer a great degree of latitude and it is probably the imaginative embellishments that add so much to the entertainment value of these remarkable events.
The theme of the little guys up against the billion dollar companies is not new, but following the story gives one a feeling of tremendous satisfaction when honesty and perseverance wins through. Such is the case with Erin Brokovich. What a woman! As portrayed in this film Erin Brokovich ( Julia Roberts) has a great figure amply displayed to the other employees and clients and commonly referred to as her secret weapon. Julia Roberts gives a whirlwind performance as a single mother punctuating every outburst with repeated expletives.
I do doubt the probability of a mother with three very young children allowing a biker with a Harley Davidson to watch over her children during her working day. And what private or government authority would allow a stranger to spend hours looking through confidential documents held in their filing system. But it makes a great story and the odd characters that pop up in various parts of the film give little gem performances.
Serious aspects of the film involve a court case about compensation for the horrible deaths of people exposed to contaminated water in their daily lives. We get a chemistry lesson too about the various forms of chromium and their relative biological toxicities.
But when the film is over and the credits roll it's Julia Roberts as the central character we remember. A truly great performance.