"Norma Rae" for 2000

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2001)

Julia Roberts deserves her accolades for the performance in this. Has she been better? Probably. But not as DRAMATIC. And that's what counts for awards. As a rule. This bit of work holds its own with brother Eric in "Star 80." Albert Finney has been better (best guilty pleasure performance? "Wolfen."). And I must give credit to Aaron Eckhart (unrecognizable from "In the Company of Men") as the house-biker who takes care of Erin's kids while she saves Hinkley, CA (standing in for The World). Oh, and, of course, nod to "C.S.I." to Marg Helgenberger who was quite good. Soderbergh has just been nominated for two DGA best directing noms for this film and "Traffic." Overkill. Nominate him for "Traffic" and take another look at Hanson's "Wonder Boys" or Kaufman's "Quills". Still, like "The Accused" and "The Verdict," two other "name" performance-driven movies, this film does its job, effectively.