ERIN BROCKOVICH ***1/2 (out of four stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Cherry Jones and Peter Coyote Director-Steven Soderbergh Canadian Rating-14A Released by Universal Pictures - 03/00
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`Erin Brockovich' is the first movie of 2000 that made me want to stand up and exclaim `You go, girlfriend!' during showtime.
Hoping to keep my personal dignity intact, I waived that opportunity to thoroughly embarrass myself, although I sensed the other theater patrons would have supported my bombastic outburst. After all, the title character of Steven Soderbergh's `Erin Brockovich' is such a smart, sassy heroine. Although her manner is laced with brash, foul-mouthed terminology and her wardrobe is indicative of a street-corner prostitute, Erin generates an instantly likable presence of good looks and quick wits. The twice-divorced mother of three shows admirable persistence as she claws at accomplished lawyer Ed Masry (Albert Finney), demanding a position at his law firm by attacking him like an unleashed pitbull as opposed to kissing up. While in certain circumstances it proves to be more of a distraction than a reinforcement, a big name star like Julia Roberts seems to only further the bolstering appeal of the snappy `Erin Brockovich'.
Roberts is certainly positioned at center-stage, delivering a powerhouse performance that could be the definitive achievement of her career, but she is backed by a beneficial slew of wonderful supporting performances. An early prediction for the 2001 Oscar telecast: Albert Finney for Best Supporting Actor. Erin first meets Masry after she is involved in an auto collision and he is assigned to represent her. Unfortunately, even though it was the fault of the other driver, Masry loses the case because of Erin's feisty attitude and flagrant use of profanity. Afterward (and I'm sidestepping some big complications), when Erin begins working at the firm as a legal assistant, the interaction between Roberts and Finney becomes some of the most fun and tractable I've ever witnessed between two polar opposite characters. Finney (most recently in `Simpatico') is such a joy to watch; as Masry slowly progresses to the point of accepting and understanding Erin, we believe every ounce of it. More enthusiasm should be directed to Aaron Eckhart as friendly biker boyfriend George, who acts as nanny to Erin's three kids while she discovers the demanding conditions of a business environment. The main concentration of Susannah Grant's funny, observant screenplay is Erin herself (a wise move given the compelling nature of the character), and yet the film achieves measurable success on a collective level as well.
Did I mention this is all based on a true story? The accolades of the real Erin Brockovich are unbeknownst to me (like many), but whether it is entirely factual or not, Soderbergh's film visibly flounders only during the opening minutes. The plot, involving Erin's investigation of a possible hexavalent chromium contamination in the local water supply, is strictly recycled Hollywood formula -- often bearing resemblance to the 1998 legal thriller `A Civil Action' -- but the dramatics are enhanced by the compelling human details, and a briskly enjoyable character study only further motivated by top-flight performances. Soderbergh's latest work includes the revenge thriller `The Limey' and the comic crime caper `Out of Sight', but the director will be forever known for the independent landmark `sex, lies and videotape'. Just as Soderbergh revolutionized the Sundance Film Festival with `videotape' in 1989, he has breathed new life into the formulaic courtroom drama with `Erin Brockovich'.
More likable magnetism comes from the fact that `Erin', at its core, is a feel-good movie. The grin on your face will spread ear-to-ear as you exit the theater, because the story of a little nobody striving to make a big difference is always a crowd-pleasing antidote. It's all the more acceptable in `Erin Brockovich', where the familiarities seem fresh and involving because the characters entangled within the regular genre clichés are not just boring, career-driven caricatures. It's nice to be able to identify with Erin's plight, as she becomes torn between work and family, than simply understand the verdict she is battling for in court. Soderbergh puts little strain on the viewer in his journey to help us encompass this fact. Let's hope `Erin Brockovich' isn't too early an addition for possible Oscar attraction next year. If the Academy members have forgotten the stellar performances and direction that this film has to offer by then, I will weep for the filmmaking community. Just as the title character conducts herself, `Erin Brockovich' goes for the throat and wins you over.
© 2000, Jamey Hughton
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