Fine entertaining drama with humor, romance and poignancy

Rating: Null/10 (8 March 2000)

Julia Roberts lights up the screen in this basically serious drama directed by Steven Soderbergh. Roberts is a single mother,"Erin Brockovich", struggling to raise three children of two failed marriages. She finally gets a job working for attorney Ed Masry, winningly portrayed by Albert Finney, and gets involved in a case involving a Love Canal-type suit with many plaintiffs and a Goliath-like defendant (Pacific Gas & Electric). The utility company is allegedly guilty of polluting the water in the plaintiffs' town causing a variety of diseases and tragedy and, of course, trying to cover it up.
Soderbergh has directed this piece with a fine combination of humor, romance and poignancy. The film is peppered with salty dialogue, an able supporting cast (Aaron Eckhart, Conchita Farrell, & Marge Helgenberger) and a satisfying ending. The filmmakers have succeeded in creating a movie that is both entertaining, enlightening and even has a social message.