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A twice-divorced mother of three, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is someone without a job whose finances are shriveling daily. Having left her formal education and vocational prospects behind her long ago for a future of marital bliss, she now finds herself thrust into the wicked world of dog eat dog. Without any job prospects before her, it doesn't look like matters could manage to get worse until she winds up in a car accident and, though the other party was at fault, loses a settlement in court. Her debts by this time far exceed both her income and her imagination. Pleading with her attorney, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), for a job some days later at his office, she finally manages to get a position without benefits (after painfully whispering "Don't make me beg.")
Once working for the firm, she comes across a number of medical files oddly inserted with real estate files and is confused by this strange combination. Requesting authority to investigate, Erin begins to uncover a situation where contaminated water has been causing a number of illnesses within a small local community. Without realizing that she has become so thoroughly involved with her research, her boss jumps to the conclusion that she has been skipping work and is prepared to fire her. Clarity saves the day. Ed Masry was, of course, essential for success in the outcome of this case. He was originally winding down toward retirement when this woman entered his life and his business. His legal expertise and experience were crucial. Erin's attractiveness, personality, understanding, and warmth were as well. In 1993 this team went after PG&W, a \$30 billion company whose use of hexavalent chromium in a compressor plant endangered the health of numerous residents living in Hinkley, California. To make matters worse, this company, which had employed most of the townspeople, informed them about the leakage, but in such a way that made it sound as if it was not dangerous. The town was led to believe that healthy Chromium 3 was dispersed in the water as opposed to the deadly hexavalent form of chromium. If the citizens did not take action against the company within a year of such notification, they would have been helpless thereafter due to the statute of limitations. Not very nice, to say the least. (Nowadays, PG&E are more than readily prepared to inform those interested that hexavalent chromium is no longer used in their compressor plants, that their holding ponds are presently lined to prevent groundwater contamination, and that they were never found guilty.) The community is leery at first of Erin's interest and involvement, but she finally manages to win them over because she has the innate ability to communicate with them on their own level. She is a normal, everyday woman who experiences life the same way they do and can speak to them in their own terms. As the case progresses, however, the proceedings almost get botched when her boss, in dire need of surplus finance, requests the assistance of another lawyer named Kurt Potter (Peter Coyote) whose legal world and operative methods are styled in quite another fashion than Erin's. Potter and his assistant believe that her talents would be more appropriate to fetch coffee and cake. It doesn't take long before Potter realizes how mistaken he is. Amazed at discovering the power behind the pretty face, he tells Masry, "I see what you mean about a secret weapon." As far as the assistant and her communicative abilities are concerned, Erin has few words in summing both up when she says, "That's all you got, lady, is two wrong feet and fucking ugly shoes." She doesn't tolerate sexism (from either sex) and she has no patience with incompetence. Erin becomes more and more goal orientated as her new responsibilities toward the injured citizens grow almost compulsive. George (Aaron Eckart), the boy next door and Erin's newly found Harley-riding companion, tries to help her by lending personal support and taking care of her kids. Eventually, however, he starts to become tired of her total involvement with this case which keeps her away all hours of the day and night. The ex-beauty queen from next door is becoming the activist around town. The new woman is busy reinventing herself. In doing this, she becomes a better woman as she helps create a better world. The distinguished cast and crew on this production directed by Steven Soderbergh make it a highly professional product with a story line that surpasses many well-made films of the past (e.g. the "Love Canal" TV mini-series) which have dealt with similar topics. Finney is fabulous (as always) and Roberts is delightful to see in a film with more meat at its center than usual. One might question whether Roberts is too attractive and well spoken to portray this character, but the real life Brockovich is also attractive and well spoken. Besides, from the first few seconds when we see Roberts in close-up, the blue eye shadow makes it clear that this is a woman with certain tastes. DP Ed Lachman (who also worked with Soderbergh on his crime drama "The Limey") captures the story in images with appropriate impact and without resorting to needless embellishment. Indeed, some of the locations used and people seen are the actual ones involved in the incident. Even the actual plant that poisoned the people is in the picture. A movie that shows sometimes justice still wins out. You gotta fight for your rights, or at least have somebody competent and passionate behind you who can. The dynamic duo of Ed and Erin made it possible in this case. Erin, Go Bragh! Or should I say Bravo Brockovich!
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