Nobody can bring an older film audience to the theaters like Julia Roberts. The sneak preview last weekend sold out before I could buy a ticket, and I had to stand in line for a matinee showing.
It will be a blockbuster opening weekend for Erin Brockovich. Much has been made of Roberts' twenty million dollar salary for the film, a record for a leading lady. But if Adam Sandler deserves that level of pay, certainly Julia Roberts does as well.
Judging from previews, I was afraid that Roberts would be trashy and sassy, but not much more. Another fear was that they would make her character too heroic: single mom overcomes poverty and prejudice to conquer the evil corporation. But while Erin Brockovich has these problems, they exist only to a limited extent.
Fortunately, her character is much deeper than simply heroism, attitude and one-liners. Susannah Grant should get much of the credit. While the performance of Roberts is unassailable, she is given a much better script and character than she had in Runaway Bride.
Grant's screenplay not only meets conventional expectations, but gives Brockovich the determination (even reaching a level of obsession) that makes her accomplishments seem credible. As with another 'true story', Silkwood (1983), our heroine's cause has negative effects on her personal relationships. It helps that Roberts' temper results not only in sharp one-liners, but also occasional embarrassment.
Erin Brockovich may dress like white trash. She shows more cleavage than I thought she possessed. But she's very intelligent, easily the smartest character in the film. Her boss, personal claims lawyer Ed Masry (Albert Finney) does get the best of her, but only once. No wonder it makes him so happy, because he had spent the previous two hours looking sheepish under Roberts' demands and insults.
Erin's hostility is the result of her hard life. Twice divorced, with three small kids, she receives job discrimination instead of sympathy. This discrimination comes primarily from other women, who despise her language, dress and level of education. But when they make the mistake of underestimating Erin Brockovich, she makes them pay for it.
While Erin's anger causes turmoil both in the office and at home, she finds a positive outlet for it. She takes on the evil conglomerate utility, Pacific Gas & Electric. Their chemicals have leaked into a small town's water supply for a generation, ruining the health of hundreds of families.
Erin's upfront personality is ideally suited for talking with these families, who can see her deep sympathy for them. Beating PG&E means more than landing a windfall paycheck, it is about empowerment, and a revenge against class prejudice. (69/100)
Julia Roberts reaffirms her superstar status with ERIN BROCKOVICH an inspirational drama that is based on a true story. Roberts plays Erin Brockovich ...More at Family Video
A real woman. A real story. A real triumph. Julia Roberts stars as Erin Brockovich, a feisty young mother who fought for justice any way she knew how....More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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