Review of Erin Brockovich (2000) by Rocco C — 23 Apr 2013

No-nonsense Erin Brockovich portrayed by Julia Roberts in her Oscar-winning performance pulls on the heartstrings of every viewer in what it is the difficult and devastating struggle for a woman balancing her young family and a job that's keeping them above the scrapheap of a very judgemental society. Based on a true story, Roberts truly shines as Brockovich in attempting to seek justice for the people of Hinkley whose groundwater supply has been contaminated by the negligent and unsympathetic PG&E Corporation with potentially life-threatening chromium.

Dramatizing the life of real-life legal clerk Erin Brockovich, this pictures reassures any helpless woman that where there's a will, there's a way and if the ordinary Erin Brockovich can do it, anyone can. This picture tells the life of Erin that's all too familiar with working mums across the world and their struggle to balance wanting to improve their position and find work in order to do this.

The chemistry between Roberts and Albert Finney as her legal representative in a court case of the troubled Brockovich - and now as her colleague as she assumes a position at his private firm provide the picture with a kind a "rough love" relationship that is required in the complicated and bitchy world of law. The development of Mr Masry's character is clear to the audience - to tame this wild and seemingly "out of control" lioness that we see in the early scenes of the picture. This prevents Roberts' character from appear as bitchy or controlling which the director, I'm guessing, did not want to protagonist to appear as - a negative stereotype.

However, I found the supportive performance of Aaron Eckhart as Brockovich's on-and-off boyfriend/sleeping acquaintance lackluster and weak, and bearable at the best of times. I don't know, I just found his role in the film rather pointless and I felt his character could have been utilized better. It is clear that his presence in the picture is instrumental in Erin's ability to pursue her legal battle with PG&E by taking care of her children, but I would like to have seen the pair's relationship explored a little deeper. For example, why was his character so keen on taking care of Erin's children, what is the history behind his character? I just felt his character was utilized for one reason: - to look after the children whilst Brockovich peruses her legal endeavors; in other words to tie up any goofs that film geeks will spot!

Nonetheless, the sexual persona Julia Roberts embodies as the sexy siren Erin Brockovich in this picture instantly entertaining in demonstrating that not only this woman has brains, but beauty both inside and out. Although her, let's say, colorful language doesn't optimize this judgment, her shear on-screen portrayal of Ms Brockovich is simply outstanding.