Would You Go This Far For Someone Else? (Erin Brockovich (DVD))

Member Name: jools30

Product:	Erin Brockovich (DVD)
Date:	20/02/02 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great script, superb performances

Disadvantages: lack of courtroom action

‘Not a film based on a true story’ moaned my husband when I wanted to watch this. ‘You know I don’t like them.’

Just over 2 hours later he turned to me and said ‘what a great film’. Men huh!

I had heard such good reviews about the film that I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Then it was nominated for loads of Oscars – well I don’t very often like the films that win Oscars. But I still wanted to watch it as I vaguely knew the true story that it was based on. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The film is based on the life of the real Erin Brockovich (who also has a cameo appearance in the film as a waitress). Twice married and divorced, she was left to raise her three children on her own. Following a traffic accident (which wasn’t her fault) she meets Ed Masry, a lawyer. She loses her case – and her chance of any money – so pesters Ed until he gives her a job at his law practice.

While looking at some files for a real estate case, she discovers some medical notes and decides to investigate further. It appears that a local plant of a major company has been leaking dangerous chemicals into the water supply. Lots of local residents have developed cancer and livestock is dying.

After several run-ins with Ed, he agrees to take on the case. Talking to other families it becomes obvious that the situation is far more serious than anyone thought. And so begins the battle between Ed and Erin and the corporate giant.

Along the way there is also a love story thrown in – George is Erin’s neighbour. A big-hearted biker, he starts out looking after Erin’s children while she works but the relationship soon develops further. However, Erin’s single-minded determination threatens to ruin their happiness…

This is a film about hope coming from despair and about the ‘ordinary’ people over
coming the corporate giants. For the people of Hinkley (the town with the water problem) Erin offers hope that there may be some good to come from their desperate illnesses and what appears to them to be a bleak future. She also helps them to understand that what has happened to them is not their fault. The compassion that she shows to the townspeople is overwhelming – once she decides to help she throws herself in completely, even to the detriment of her own family. Something that was omitted from the film was the fact that Erin was dyslexic – although she refers to herself in the film as a ‘slow reader’ – another hurdle that she had to overcome on the way to her achievements.

As well as Erin sacrificing her home life, Ed puts his reputation on the line, along with his firm and his house. He risks losing everything by taking on this case, but Erin’s conviction overcomes his fears.

Julia Roberts plays Erin with complete conviction. She is perfect as the woman who has overcome her own family difficulties and wants to build a better future for her children, and whose compassion for others keeps her going through the difficult times. For me, this was the best role I have seen her in and she thoroughly deserved the Oscar that she won.

Albert Finney provides the perfect foil as Ed. His gruff exterior hides a softness underneath and although he does not appear to like Erin at the beginning, you gradually see him warming to her throughout the film. As the film goes on, you can see that he respects her for continuing to fight for the people of Hinkley.

As the love interest, George, Aaron Eckhart plays an understated role. As the biker-with-a-heart he tries to help Erin out even when he is getting nothing in return. Although everyone talks about how great Roberts and Finney were, for me he was just as good and deserved more recognition for his role.

Despite being a drama, this film does have s
ome light-hearted moments. For me, these were a necessary part of the film otherwise it could have generated into doom and gloom. One of my favourites being when on eof the corporate lawyers is about to take a sip of water (after saying that Hinkley water was safe) and Erin tells her ‘we had that shipped in especially from Hinkley for you’. The look on the lawyer’s face and the stifled laughs of Erin’s colleagues was brilliant!

The real-life drama was played over 2 ½ years, but for the film it has been condensed into just over 2 hours. Presumably unimportant events have been missed out, but the film still flows well and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. However, having read further information on the real story, it appears that Erin herself was almost hospitalised due to the chemicals in the water. Although she is shown coughing and ill in the film, not too much is made of it. I am quite glad that the film was not seen as an opportunity to turn her into some sort of martyr, but instead shows her as a compassionate woman, fighting for her beliefs.

I do have one criticism of the film, however. Being a fan of legal dramas, I was disappointed by the lack of courtroom action. Aside from the first court case (for Erin’s accident) there is only one other courtroom scene. Personally I would have liked to have seen more of the legal action rather than Ms Roberts cleavage, but I think I know which may have enticed more people to watch the film!


The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh (also nominated for an Oscar, but missed out).

I would highly recommend this film. Well worth renting on a miserable winters evening.

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