Special Coverage The Photo IssueThe Must List2008 Fall TV2008 Fall Movies2008 Fall Music
  • --

Credits

Release Date: Mar 17, 2000; Rated: R; Genres: Crime, Drama; With: Albert Finney and Julia Roberts; Distributor: Universal

All About

Erin Brockovich
B+
By Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr is a writer at large for EW and is no relation to Raymond or Aaron

How you feel about Erin Brockovich the film will depend on how you feel about Erin Brockovich the character, and how you feel about Erin Brockovich the character will depend on how you feel about the F- word. I know, it doesn't seem that big a deal in these Eminem-able times, but I watched the video during a weekend visit with my sainted old mum, and her ears just about flew off her head every time Julia Roberts opened her mouth.

Literal parental advisories aside, director Steven Soderbergh's successful bid to have a mainstream smash hits all the expected stops in the smalltime-whistle-blower-brings-down-huge-corporation genre. You won't mind, though, since Roberts is in full-on movie-star mode as a tough-talking single mom uncovering Pacific Gas & Electric's toxic secrets and Soderbergh spins his cliches with verve and professionalism. If he trowels on the blue-collar empathy to the point where you may feel sorry for Veanne Cox's cold-fish corporate lawyer, Albert Finney offers balance through his crisp underplaying of Erin's boss. Sure, this covers the same territory as A Civil Action, and John Travolta doesn't cuss as much -- but he wouldn't look nearly as good in a push-up bra. B+

WHAT WE SAID THEN: ''The arc of the tale may be conventional, but Roberts...allows us to take in every moment through fresh, impassioned eyes.'' B+ (#532, March 24, 2000) -- Owen Gleiberman

[BOX]

Erin Brockovich 1999 UNIVERSAL 132 MINUTES RATED R ALSO ON DVD


Posted Aug 18, 2000
 

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. You must have javascript enabled to submit a comment.
--
Change/Edit your grade
characters remaining