Erin Brockovich

Rating: 8/10 (13 July 2005)

I can't believe the first time I saw it I thought it was crap, maybe it was because I thought there was too much chat (which is key), now seeing it again I really like it, from Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Ocean's Eleven). Anway, basically Erin Brockovich (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Julia Roberts, earning her $20m salary) has a car accident, and after failing to sue a doctor, she bullies her lawyer, Ed Masry (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Albert Finney), to give her a job in compensation. No-one takes her seriously for a while, mainly because of her trashy clothes and language use, but that changes when she investigates a suspicious real estate case involving the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. She discovers they are quietly trying to buy land contaminated by Hexavalent Chromium, a deadly toxic waste that is illegally being dumped and going into the town's water mains. This is a true story about one of the biggest class action lawsuits in American history against a multi-million dollar corporation, pretty much taken down by one woman. Eventually they are found guilty for their crime, and have to pay over $300m for damages, almost $5m of that going to all families who have been affected by this cover-up. Also starring The Core's Aaron Eckhart as George, CSI's Marg Helgenberger as Donna Jensen, Cherry Jones as Pamela Duncan, Peter Coyote as Kurt Potter and the real Erin Brockovich-Ellis as Julia, the Waitress. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Picture (with the help of Danny DeVito) and Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, it was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, David Lean Award for Direction and Best Film, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama. Julia Roberts was number 29 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Erin Brockovich was number 31 on 100 Years, 100 Heroes & Villains, the film was number 73 on 100 Years, 100 Cheers, and it was number 24 on Film 4's 50 Films You Must See Before You Die. Very good!