What will next 4 films to get Best Picture nominations next year?

Rating: 10/10 (17 March 2000)

The first nominees for next year's Oscars in the Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Original or Adapted Screenplay and Best Costume Design categories have already been secured with the arrival of "Erin Brockovich". Julia Roberts is spectacular in the title role of a hard working single mother who stumbles on one of the biggest corporate wrongs in U.S. history. She would've stole every scene if it wasn't for her co-star Albert Finney who matches her for every point/counterpoint. He plays her reluctant and somewhat befuddled employer who finally joins her fight. Although her box office says otherwise I've always thought Roberts was way overrated as a movie star. Now I'm a believer. She is smart, sassy, foul-mouthed, fiery, sensitive, funny and, of course, very sexy. It is one of best performances I've ever seen by an actress in a lead role and for some reason it reminds me of Susan Sarandon's Annie Savoy from "Bull Durham" in that both outstanding roles combined real intelligence with real sex appeal. (Of course Annie Savoy is purely fictional whereas Erin Brockovich is not.) I sense that her character may appeal more to men than women (her costume designer obviously had a lot fun working on this film). The reviews I've read have been excellent, but this movie exceeds them largely because the rest of the actors are great as well. Finney's work is more nuanced than Roberts' because it has to be and he provides the perfect foil for her volcanic emotions. Aaron Eckhardt deserves mention too as Roberts' good guy biker boyfriend. These performances are made possible by a superb script from Susannah Grant. Her fact-based tale of a small (hick) town poisoned by a giant utility has "Rocky"-like satisfactions in it and they feel all earned. The fascinating tale is matched by dialogue that is often fast and furious and very funny and it is in a story that really tugs at your heart strings. Director Steven Soderbergh equals the effort that he put forth with the vastly underrated "Out Of Sight". This is an "adult" movie in the very best sense of that term. "Erin Brockovich" is definitely a big Hollywood movie with all he fun and rewards that come with it. It also proves that smart entertainment can deal with big issues and make time fly. It is the first Best Picture nominee for next year.