Drama
United States of America
Erin Brockovich is a 2000 biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. It stars Julia Roberts as the titular character, a feisty mother of three who becomes a legal assistant and helps bring down a corrupt corporation that is polluting the water supply of a small town in California.
The film is based on the true story of Erin Brockovich, who in the late 1990s took on Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) after discovering that the company had dumped toxic waste into groundwater near Hinkley, California. This led to a cluster of illnesses and cancers in the local population.
Erin is initially skeptical about the case, but after doing some research and talking to the residents of Hinkley, she becomes convinced of the seriousness of the situation. She convinces her boss, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), to let her investigate further, and with the help of a sympathetic doctor (Peter Coyote), she manages to obtain the medical records that prove the connection between the pollution and the illnesses.
However, PG&E remains determined to cover up its misdeeds, and Erin and Ed face numerous obstacles in their quest for justice. Erin uses her wit, charm, and determination to rally the residents of Hinkley and keep the pressure on PG&E. She even wears revealing clothing to meetings with the company executives, using her sexuality to her advantage.
Despite facing numerous setbacks, Erin and Ed eventually manage to convince PG&E to settle the case for $333 million, the largest direct settlement ever paid in a U.S. environmental lawsuit. Erin becomes a hero to the residents of Hinkley and a symbol of hope for people fighting against corporate greed and corruption.
The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Roberts an Academy Award for Best Actress and grossing over $250 million worldwide. It is widely regarded as a classic of the legal drama genre and a testament to the power of a single person to effect change.
