Erin Brockovich (2000)

3 out of 4

Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Peter Coyote

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Time: 130 mins

Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich details the struggle the title character endures while trying to juggle her role as mother to a family of 3 young children, a new job as a lawyer's assistant, and handling a large civil action suit against a water utility for poisoning a small town's water. It is almost a departure for Julia Roberts - better known for romantic comedies like Pretty Woman (1990), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), and Notting Hill (1999) - as her character is feisty, foul-mouthed, and yet very determined to get what she wants. Director Soderbergh (Sex, Lies and Videotape) and writer Susannah Grant nicely balance the domestic life of Erin Brockovich - and its frequent trials - with the mammoth case against Pacific Gas and Electric, the utility that was at the centre of the Hinkley, California civil action.

The title might be Erin Brockovich, but the majority of the film is concerned with the PG&E case. In essence, the lawsuit highlights and defines Erin's tough-as-nails character, for without her perseverance the case would not even have been instigated, let alone brought to trial. We first meet Erin applying, and being rejected, for several jobs. She is almost in desperation. She is unemployed, has 3 young children, and her neck is in a brace after her car was slammed into by another car. Though her lawyer, Ed Masry (Finney) loses the subsequent compensation trial, she badgers him into giving her a job. It is while there, when she is going through a routine real estate case, that Brockovich uncovers the shady practices of PG&E.

Her determination for justice pushes her on, even in the face of envious (and jealous) co-workers, anonymous phone threats, and a love-hate relationship with Masry, who is not too impressed with her manner and clothes sense (Erin wears very skimpy clothing). Her relationship with her children suffers, as does her growing friendship with the bikie neighbour (Eckhart) who has a heart of gold. She is reminded by Masry, more than once, of how Masry's little law office could be buried if their case is not air-tight. But Erin is undeterred. Eventually Masry brings in big shot city lawyer Kurt Potter (Coyote) and his associates, and it looks like Erin could be dropped from the case.

Erin Brockovich is one of the better character-driven pictures in a while, mixing involving drama with welcome dashes of humour. At the heart of the film is Roberts' vivid performance, bringing to life a woman who is tough, sexy, and won't take no for an answer. Her frequent swearing often brings her unstuck, but she'd rather go down swearing than not speaking her mind at all. Her thorny relationship with Masry is beautifully developed, from one of almost mutual dislike to one of growing admiration and respect. Veteran British actor Finney (The Browning Version) is delightful as the no-nonsense lawyer who is proud of his own-grown law office, but is constantly wary of taking on a behemoth such as PG&E. Eventually Erin's drive inspires him, too. A special mention must be made of Eckhart, who is almost unrecognisable from his sleazy, clean-shaven businessman role in In the Company of Men (1997). Here he is long-haired, bearded, and sports a tattoo. But he is the rock upon which Erin can rely, as well as providing some genuinely funny lines.

Erin Brockovich almost makes the mistake of going on a bit too long. The film is fairly leisurely paced as it is, and although it never fails to be entertaining, anything much longer than its actual running time would have made the whole movie drag. Just as the case is about to go to trial, I was actually dreading the prospect of another 20 or 30 minutes of courtroom action. Thankfully, the film just presents the aftermath, and spares us any lawyer histrionics.

Character-driven dramas with marquee stars and humour are few and far between (check out Jerry Maguire for a recent example). Erin Brockovich captures your attention with excellent acting, a thoughtful story, and a bit of real life thrown in. If for nothing else, watch Erin Brockovich for a great performance from Julia Roberts.

(c) Joe Wong (11 June 2000)