Opens March 17th
Think the heroism of “Norma Rae”, think last year’s “Civil Action” (sans Travolta, with a girl lawyer), think all the charm of Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” (this time with big cleavage) plus a heroic attitude, and you’ve got a fabulously, witty, drama in “Erin Brockovich.”In a far superior role than her all time hit as a hooker, Robert’s character plunges into a sympathetic, twice divorced, unemployed mother of three small children, with a heart of gold.
The story opens with Brockovich (Roberts) struggling to find a job to supplement the $84 left in her bank account. Through a fluke car accident and one of those 1-800 lawyers, Brockovich ends up as a file clerk for an attorney (Albert Finney) and happens upon a file with blood samples in a real estate deal. As the story unfolds about highly contaminated water and innocent families poisoned by chemicals, Brockovich finds herself delving into uncovering the truth behind a $28 billion dollar utility company.
Fortunately, while busy nosing around places she shouldn’t be, she finds a babysitter, in her new Harley Davidson neighbor, George,(Aaron Eckhart) for her three kids patiently waiting at home. Of course she clearly tells him “this isn’t gonna get you laid.” But, that all changes as he wins her trust and keeps life settled on the homefront allowing Brockovich to rip through a cover-up that will lead to a pay-off in the tune of $333 million in damages. Her brash manner and ability to relate to simple folk wins everybody over including her boss who asks “What makes you think you can just waltz in there (the water dept.) and find what you need?” Her reply “they’re called boobs, Ed!”
The movie’s dynamics work because Roberts grows (self-taught, no law degree) and expands herself at the expense of three kids at home, chronically missing their mom. She’s got that guilt trip thing going. Should kids or work come first. But, it’s her humane tactics less the usual brains needed in a lawsuit, that make for a fabulous, uplifting conclusion delivering one more success for the $20 million a movie, Julia Roberts. And, she’s worth every penny. Julia rules in this movie! When the studios barked at the title, it was clear that it’s the Julia Roberts name that was going to sell it. The name stayed.