Erin Brokovich (2000) - Columbia/Tri Star

Director : Steven Soderbergh

Starring : Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart,

Picture 2.35:1 Anamorphic, DD 5.1, Single-Side Dual-Layer, Keep Case

Running Time : 123 mins

The story:

She brought a small town to its feet and a huge company to its knees.

A twice divorced mother of three, Erin Brokovich (Julia Roberts) is hurt when a driver shoots a red light and ploughs into her car. Misled by her attorney Ed Masry (Albert Finney) she walks away with nothing. Broke and with no food for her children Erin demands that her attorney gives her a job. With her trashy clothes and street talking attitude she doesn't exactly fit right in. She persuades her new boss to let her investigate a strange case that she has come across. A case that concerns the health of every man, women and child in a small close knit community. Led by the desire to earn money for her kids she walks into the firing line and once she starts there is no stopping her. The truth must be told at any cost. What she discovers is corporate greed and betrayal. Despite threats on her safety and pleading from her boyfriend George (Aaron Eckhart) she decides that this is a case that must be won in order to protect everyone's future.

The summary:

Ten years have passed since a relatively unknown Julia Roberts breathed life into Pretty Woman. After that kind of success much was expected from her career after being suddenly thrust into the paycheck big leagues. Not since then has she recaptured that magic. Sure she was good in Flatliners, Sleeping with the enemy, Notting Hill, and even Stepmom had its moments but for every success there has been two or three howlers like Mary Reilly, Dying young and the oh so spectacularly bad Runaway Bride. But the wait has bore fruit and finally we have something memorable in this Hollywood take on a true story. Roberts is very comfortable in the role and tackles it with surprising ease and panache, despite the weight of all those previous flops to contend with. Albert Finney also strikes a superb balance against Roberts loud mouthed character with his authoritarian approach to this career lawyer. The film shines with its gritty realism and you will definitely find yourself engrossed as Erin tries her best to take on corporate America !. A must see.

Extras:

* Trailer - Theatrical trailer.

* The Real Erin Brokovich - A 5 minute interview with the real Erin Brokovich in which she sets out to explain the factors that motivated her to challenge what was going on.

* Making of Featurette - A behind the scenes look at the film from conception to filming. Includes interviews with some of the actual people depicted in the film. Good but not overly long and could have included much more.

* Deleted Scenes - 45 Minutes of deleted scenes ! Most of them are good quality and were removed for pacing reasons. The deleted scenes can be watched with sound or directors commentary.

* Isolated Score - The films musical score played independently without dialogue

* Cast and Crew Filmographies - Text based filmographies of the major cast and crew.

Our Verdict...

Big on budget and also very big on story. This film packs a punch with its gritty sassiness and superb casting. Roberts and Finney are both excellent and this definitely marks a return to form for Miss Roberts flailing career. 8.5/10

A superb looking print that exudes quality and depth of colour. Desert scenes look crisp and stunning and Erins colourful wardrobe always dazzles. 9/10

Nothing to write home about in the system testing dept but then you wouldn't really expect it to. What there is does impress with some superb dialogue placement and beautifully detailed courtroom scenes. 7/10

A good level of extra's from Columbia with an impressive array of deleted scenes and a well put together Making of. One of the more impressive Region 2 releases. 8/10

84%

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