While developing the strong character of Brockovich, he allows the story to be secondary and we lose the narrative in the process. Obviously, this film was designed to be a major star vehicle for Julia Roberts. In this, Soderbergh succeeds, as Roberts is good enough to make this film her own. Unfortunately, what we are left with is a two hour and ten minute character study that fails to sustain the length of the film. This is the only explanation for the undeserved attention by the Academy.
Nothing impresses Hollywood like success.
After raising the bar of excellence in 1999-2000, it is a shame to see the Oscars, once again, drift into mediocrity.