Women's Day and Erin Brockovich

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On Women's day I thought of revisiting the classic; Erin Brockovich. A 2000 film which features the absolute powerhouse Julia Roberts along with an exceptional cast of Albert Finney and Aaron Eckhart. In addition there are many many smaller roles of some beautiful casting and acting. But, the film Erin Brockovich is a Julia Roberts film, out and out. As Erin Brockovich, she struggles, she has her problems, she has made mistakes in life, has three kids to look after and not once has she flinched from her responsibilities and finally for some time she did have the support of the neighbor, George (Aaron Eckhart). But in the end, it is Erin who knows she has to take responsibilities and that is when you know why Womanhood is celebrated and why woman remain so central to life, and lessons that we all get. 

Julia Roberts plays the real life Erin Brockovich an activist who worked tirelessly for the residents of the Hinkley, California who have complex medical issues arising from contaminated water due to the Chromium disposal by the nearby energy company PG&E into sewer. Her investigations only opens up a cupboard full of skeletons and one thing leads to the other. Erin, with three kids on tow and a demanding boss, Edward L. Masry (a riveting performance from Albert Finney) to take care off, sets off on a tireless investigation. At home, she has been living literally on pay check to pay check and has bills to pay. There is pressure from home and there is pressure at work and an environment in office which refuses to accept her over the top getup and behavior. Very soon she is the pariah at workplace and she battles that with single minded devotion to the investigation she decides to do. 

Erin finds her moments when she gets to meet people in door to door interactions with the victims and gets so close to them, she virtually remembers every single victim's phone number by heart. We begin to realize that she is good at her work and perseverant. She is unflinching and is a fighter and always willing to use all her resources to get work done. Erin's character never expects sympathies for her state but she always demands what is due to her. 

With effortless ease, does Julia Roberts puts in a performance of a lifetime that got her, her first Oscars, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and a best supporting actor for Albert Finney. She is so immersed in the role and the character that there are hardly any moments where you see her slip. Steven Soderbergh the director of Erin Brockovich had a good run in 2000, with the classic film Traffic, which released the same year and he got the Oscars for best director. Steven Soderbergh remains honest to the main plot and to the character of Erin Brockovich. His screenplay has done justice to what Julia has eventually portrayed. 

The strength of Erin's character and even when her biker boyfriend quits on her, she knows the weight of responsibility falls on her. And she is willing to take it and does not want people to be sorry for her. It is a Woman of Steel moment and is Julia is at her unflinching best here. 

On Women's day do not miss on this gem! This is perhaps the only way we can contribute in our way to celebrate the miracle of God; Woman. 

Erin Brockovich streams on Apple TV; Go watch!   


Comments

AMITAV GANGULY said…
Very well written review...classic retold...equally well..
March 9, 2021 at 1:15 AM
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