Steven Soderbergh's Other Film From 2000

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2001)

"Erin Brockovich" will likely be remembered as director Steven Soderbergh's other film from the year 2000 ("Traffic") and of course for Julia Roberts' Oscar-winning performance. The film is not on par with "Traffic", but is still a great picture that may have been the second best film from the year. The titled character is an unconventional legal assistant whose greatest attributes are common sense and the ability to interact with anyone and everyone, no matter the situation. After mercifully receiving a job from small-time attorney Albert Finney (Oscar-nominated), Brockovich learns that the powerful Pacific Gas & Electric Company is dumping hexavalent chromium in an isolated area. This is causing many residents to become sick with strange types of cancers and other illnesses. What follows is one of the largest lawsuits in United States legal history. "Erin Brockovich" works because of dynamite performances by Roberts and Finney. This is easily the best work of Roberts' career and might be Finney's best performance as well. The screenplay is not as strong as it should be, but Soderbergh's direction more than makes up for the script. Overall an overwhelming success. 4.5 out of 5 stars.