2 Hours 12 Minutes
Rated “R” for language
Yeah. Yeah, sexy, huh? How ’bout this for a number? Six. That’s how old my other daughter is, eight is the age of my son, two is how many times I’ve been married – and divorced; sixteen is the number of dollars I have in my bank account. 850-3943. That’s my phone number, and with all the numbers I gave you, I’m guessing zero is the number of times you’re gonna call it.-Erin Brockovich
Synopsis
Erin Brockovich is a single mother of three who has met a series of unfortunate events that have left her unemployed and injured from a car accident. When she finally finds a job as a legal assistant for Ed Masry, she struggles to take care of her children and financially provide for them. Organizing a file for her boss she stumbles upon a real estate case that seems to have a lot more to it than simple real estate. She finds medical files and blood tests that have something to do with a Gas and Electric Company. As Erin is not taken seriously, brought on by her risque clothing and foul mouth, she finds the Gas and Electric company is trying to purchase land that they have been illegally dumping toxic waste on. The result of the waste on the local residents were as extreme as death, but also involved many cases of cancer and other like illnesses. The single mother, who was unemployed months before now finds herself mixed up in one of the biggest class action lawsuits in American History.
Review
Erin Brockovich is a very smart and impressive movie to watch, filled with engaging character’s and stellar acting, but eight years later I’m still dumb founded at the acclaim this film has received. Julia Roberts performance specifically. In a year full of profound film making with movies like Wonder Boys, Requiem For A Dream, Traffic, Quills, Gladiator, The Contender, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Chocolat, Billy Elliot, and Almost Famous what made Erin Brockovich so Oscar worthy? Joan Allen and Ellen Burnstyn both turned out the best performances of their very excellent careers and Julia Roberts wins on basis of what? Her boobs looked great? Temporarily putting Julia and boob jokes aside, the only thing worthy of being nominated from Erin Brockovich in this year of brilliance was Albert Finney’s performance.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I didn’t enjoy the movie. Not only was it motivatingl but it was entertaining and enjoyable to watch. It had excellent dialouge and some very engaging performances. I just don’t understand what made this so special comparatively to the rest of the films that were released that year.
On it’s own, it took what on paper sounds like a very boring story that will not translate well onscreen, and made it something worthwhile. Steven Soderburgh has a unique ability to take a story that’s slow moving and slow the pace down even more and somehow make it suspenseful and engaging, which at moments Erin Brockovich was. What really gave the film it’s success was how well the story was told. None of the characters were extraordinarily compelling, but they all supported the story that was being conveyed. In it’s simplicity by letting the story just be told, the movie was worth sitting through.
Cast
- Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich
- Aaron Eckhart as George
- Albert Finney as Ed Masry
- Marg Helgenberger as Donna
Julia Roberts won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in this film. Taking nothing away from Julia’s performance, as it was very strong, I still simply don’t see where Oscar worthy came from. She carried the film, but not without help of a very strong cast supporting her. Her support included Albert Finney, who was amazing, and the ever charismatic Aaron Eckhart, whose character was actually the most intriguing in the cast.
Suggestions and Ratings
Erin Brokovich is rated “R” do to adult themes and profanity, which there is a lot of. I wouldn’t have a child watch it because they’d be bored silly anyway, but I think it’s okay for a teenage audience and up. It really is a good movie and I would implore anyone to rent it, just don’t expect to be astounded. Movies like this, based on true stories, almost always make for an uplifting compelling watch. This is a good and inspiring movie but not something I’d find worthy of a re-watch. I rate Erin Brocovich Two and a half out of Four stars.
