Erin Brockovich (2000)
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhat
Director: Steven Sodebergh
Synopsis: Struggling mother's expose of water poisoning case implicating a mutli-national company
Reviewed by: Ali Khan

Based on a true story, Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich - struggling mother of three children, twice divorced, without a job and with $74 in the bank - at least to start with.

The story follows Brockovich's astonishing expose of a water poisoning case implicating a mutli-national company. Erin Brockovich may be dominated by Julia Roberts but it's not simply a showcase for her many talents. Roberts may be amongst the top 10 stars of Hollywood with a record to match but in this case the star is not larger than the film.

Steven Sodebergh, who made such a promising debut with Sex, Lies and Videotape but then faltered, is back on song with this excellent film. Erin Brockovich is well written, tightly directed and never loses its grip on the viewer. Sodebergh adds just the right amount of drama, wit and emotion while avoiding the usual pitfalls and clichés of soppiness and over sentimentality that have tended to beset similar films.

It's serious film making and certainly streets ahead of Travolta's Civil Action, which followed a similar storyline. Performances are strong all around but a lesser actress could have sealed Erin Brockovich's fate. Julia Roberts ensures that this is not the case. The film allows her to flex her acting muscles and she responds with her best performance to date. Roberts brings just the right amount of toughness, vulnerability and wit to the role.

Not just a pretty woman any more Roberts has shown she is made of sterner stuff. Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart add solid support, as do all the supporting cast. All in all, Erin Brockovich is well made, excellently acted and highly recommended.