Rating: 
Summary: Uncivil action
Review: Director Steve Soderbergh (Out of Sight) and screen writer Susannah Grant (Ever After) have fashioned another, much better version of Civil Action. Julia Roberts, in one of her freshest performances, is Erin Brockovich, a single mother with three kids, out of work, with little education or experience. She gets a job as gofer in a law firm headed by Ed Masry wonderfully played by Albert Finney (Millers Crossing). Based on a true story with a real life Erin Brockovich, it's a tale of David versus Goliath. Watching the essentially conservative Julia Roberts playing against herself with short skirts, push-up bras and stiletto heels and then watching her character playing against the long suffering Ed Masry is very entertaining. Aaron Eckhart (Any Given Sunday) gives a nice, complex performance as Erin's helpful neighbor; Marge Helgenberger (K.C. of ABC's China Beach) plays Donna Jensen, a touching victim who becomes a plaintiff. Good, if you'll pardon my pun, uplifting fun.
Rating: 
Summary: She Might Say Bull, But This Lady Won't Put Up With Any!
Review: Julia Roberts and Albert Finney bring a nonsexual chemistry to the screen that crackles with humor, grit, and raw determination. The effortless acting drew me into this David and Goliath-type story as Brockovich takes on PG&E. Brockovich, a single mother, starts off in a survival mode, trying to pay the bills and provide for her kids, but when her straight forward personality lands her in the thick of ethical violations by PG&E, she can't help but fight for the victims. Her ability to relate to these people is the axis on which the impending lawsuit turns; her ability to weasel her way into her boss's fatherly heart enables her to continue in a fight many would've deemed hopeless. The humor was effective throughout, softening me for the emotional scenes--directed with subtlety by Steven Soderburgh. The up and down relationship between George, a neighboring biker, and Brockovich adds depth to her struggles and emotions. Sure, the movie has a lot of foul language, but it's an honest depiction of a real woman, and it's hard to imagine her pushing her way to the top of this dog-heap without just such grittiness. She pulls no punches, and neither does this movie. Don't miss it!
Rating:
Summary: Erin Brokovich
Review: This is the movie to see! I loved it! This is performance of Julia Roberts' career! If she doesn't get an oscar for this, I'll be shocked! Normally, I hate dramas, but I loved this!
Rating:
Summary: Julia's Very Best Since PRETTY WOMAN
Review: ERIN BROCKOVICH is a feel-good movie; you come out of it with exactly the same sense of well-being that you experienced with PRETTY WOMAN. In between, Julia Roberts has made many movies, but only these two bring out the very best in her...Like PRETTY WOMAN there isn't much of a plot, but we don't mind it, because Julia Roberts takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride in both films...In BROCKAVICH, the supporting cast leaves a bit to be desired. Bottom line: you can't possibly not enjoy ERIN BROCKAVICH.
Rating:
Summary: Julia Roberts has outdone herself!
Review: Julia Roberts is known for her romantic comedies. Even though she hasn't exactly been typecast, films like Pretty Woman, Notting Hill and Runaway Bride stand out in her film résumé. However, she has proven that her acting is definitely worthy of an Oscar with Erin Brockovich. This is a true story about a struggling single mother whose only wish is to have some financial security for her three children. Having suffered a minor car accident, she persuades her lawyer into hiring her. She begins to take interest in a particular case. Several families have suffered from diseases because their water is contaminated with chromium -- the Multi-billionaire Company responsible has offered to buy their homes for a lot less than the market value. The lawsuit, of course, is a big one for such a small law firm, but neither Erin nor Ed (Albert Finney) has given up on the fact that the company must be punished. Julia Roberts has brought a dynamic heroine to life. Her acting is quite impressive in this film. I highly recommend
Rating:
Summary: Julia Roberts gives a breakout performance
Review: Julia Roberts outdoes herself in yet another David and Goliath struggle based on a true story. Erin Brockovich (Roberts) is a down-on-her-luck mother of three who can't seem to hold down a job. After having an auto accident, she makes a bumpy transition from client to employee at the law firm and stumbles onto a case with staggering implications. It seems that utility giant PG&E has poisoned the groundwater and the local residents are getting gravely ill. The story starts poorly with scenes of Erin looking for jobs and botching her accident case. The first twenty minutes of the film could have been condensed into five. However, once the investigation of the case begins, the story is engrossing. It is a powerful and well written human interest drama centered on a tough and smart (though crude) woman who leads a passionate crusade on behalf of the victims. Director Steven Soderberg played it straight in filming this after his extremely avant-garde effort in "The Limey". His key strength here was the direction of the actors with both Julia Roberts and Albert Finney giving excellent interpretations of their characters. However, my only negative criticism of the film was the way Erin's boyfriend George was presented. George is a grubby tattoo covered biker (the tattoo on his left shoulder says "DIRTY") who behaves like Ward Cleaver with a ponytail. He is genteel, articulate, level headed, patient, sensitive and kind. All of this is so disconnected with his lifestyle that it seems inconceivable that a character this wonderful could possibly come in this package. Julia Roberts' gave a superlative performance that smashed any myth about her inability as a dramatic actor. A far cry from her accustomed lightweight romantic characters, her portrayal of Brockovich was gritty, raw and audacious. Emotionally, she commanded states from manipulative vamp and vicious harpy to sympathetic confidant and indignant crusader. This is unquestionably her best performance and legitimizes her as one of the more versatile actresses in Hollywood. Albert Finney also gave a fine performance as the bumbling but effective curmudgeon of a lawyer. He was simultaneously obnoxious and charming and created a good contrast to Roberts' character. The two of them had terrific chemistry. Aaron Eckhart was lovable as George, although as mentioned above, the character's forbearing personality didn't jibe with his rebellious culture. However, I put more of the responsibility for this on the director than on the actor. The DVD has some excellent comments by the real Erin Brockovich that lend credibility to the story. However, Brockovich is so toned down in these interviews, it makes Roberts' portrayal seem like an exaggeration. This is an excellent story that is well and believably dramatized. I rated it an 8/10. For viewers who enjoy strong dramatic performances and who are not offended by liberal profanity, I recommend it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Julia Roberts - Her Best Yet
Review: I generally do not like Julia Roberts films. Pretty Woman was good as was Pelican Brief. Erin Brockovich is something else. I had read the good reviews of it beforehand so I took the chance of going to see it and I was surprised to see that the reviewers were right. This is Julia Roberts best role to date. She widened her acting range in this film and displayed a multitude of emotions. The fact that she had her cleavage on display for most of the film was only a distraction for the first 40 minutes or so. As the story developed I began to watch her character, not her breasts. I have ordered the DVD and will be interested to see a little background to the real life story and how the film was brought to the screen. I will now pay more attention to any film with Julia Roberts any it just as long as she keeps up this standard.
Rating:
Summary: Girl Power!
Review: WOW, this movie made me want to jump out of my seat and go start my own company. It is a girl power movie for today's women. I especially liked it because I have interest in law, but it goes to show you what a single mom can do. It makes you feel that if this single mom, on welfare and unable to pay the bills, is able to succeed by giving her all, anyone can. I loved it and I would recommend it to all!
Rating: 
Summary: Left me cold
Review: Going against the grain here, I will have to say that this story wasn't as good as what it could have been. And that's a pity, because it had all the potential in the world to be much better, especially since it was based upon a true story about mismanagement, corporate lies and conspiracy which ruined the health of thousands of people. Although Roberts is excellent as the foulmouthed but compassionate Erin Brockovich and Finney is great as her jaded boss, there's no doubt who the real stars of this movie are - Julia Roberts' breasts!
Rating:
Summary: Julia made it again
Review: Erin Brockovich could be regarded as one the outstanding movies made by Julia Roberts in the recent years. My Best Friend's Wedding was good, but Rupert had stolen much of her attention from the audience. Notting Hill was also good but the beautiful scenery and the superb supporting cast had shared the glory. Erin Brockovich was a good one woman show for Julia and she undoubtedly had picked up a good script and made a good movie. The story was not very complicated, with a new single mom bumped into all sorts of bad luck in a short period of time, that finally turned out to be a breakthrough of fate for a successful career in the legal profession. There are lots of gags and funny lines throughout the movie, particularly like her attitude against the other female lawyer who originally despised Julia's qualification to be in the legal industry. However, funny lines were not the only thing offered by this movie. There is a good description between Julia and her boy friend, Julia and her eldest son, Julia and her clients (which was of vital importance in the whole story) and Julia and her boss. What made this movie a successful one was that it tactfully combined different elements in a single movie and the chemistry was just right to the point. Humorous but touching, intriguing but sweet are some of the good contrasts adopted in the movie. The change of attitude of Julia's boss to her was a very good written part of the movie, from despise to admiring, from fury to caring etc. they were all carefully written and portrayed. Nonetheless, there was one draw back for the movie. That was Julia's constant dressing of low cuts in the movie (well, that helped a lot in the movie for her to make different men yield to her requests)which I think is not necessary in some instances. Anyway, this did not give the movie a bad image because Julia did have a good outlook, so audiences would still receive her happily. All in all, Erin Brockovich could be a good cooling choice for the summer.
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