Erin Brockovich
Dir Steven Soderberg
Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart.
Plot
Erin (Roberts) decides to start working for Ed (Finney) the lawyer who lost her a court case. When she asks to research one of his pro bono cases, a real estate case, she uncovers the fact that the local energy company have been dumping toxic waste – and it has caused severe illnesses in the residents of a nearby town.
Direction
Soderberg’s quick cut direction style is used somewhat here, but other than this I found there to be no techniques used that sung out. However this felt a bit of a more relaxed direction style, which worked well for the film. The tone of the film is more mature, with attention to character.
Cast/Characters
Roberts and Finney work well together, and Finney seemed to be having a blast as the world wise Ed, and holds his own against Roberts’ brash and abrasive Erin. It is the (deserving) Oscar winning performance from Roberts as the real life Brockovich that really makes this so engaging. Her downtrodden single mother of three, who uses her looks to get in front is believable, especially since Roberts has always had such an engaging presence in Hollywood.
Screenplay/Setting
There is a rapid fire screenplay, which delivered by Roberts quick talking Brockovich, is done very well. This too scored the screenwriter Susannah Grant an Oscar nomination.
The backdrop of the desert locations of California is one of the primary focus’ that the film has, as the main synopsis of the film is the small desert town going up against the big bad energy company. The town of Hinkley could have been given more attention, as it could have been a ‘nonliving’ character within the film.
Overall
I really enjoyed this, and the David v Goliath story of the small town lawyer going up against the behemoth energy company. There are some real sweet moments between Erin and those she is representing, and the polar opposite when she is talking to lawyers. I really recommend this film and it’s deserving of most of the Oscar noms it got.
4/5