This strong script along with its gritty dialogue still may have fallen short even with Roberts' lead if not for some great supporting actors.
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:135
Fresh:112
Rotten:23
Average Rating:7.3/10
Consensus: Stirring often humorous performances elevate long-winded legal drama.
Runtime: 2 hrs 12 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis:
In a world where heroes are often in short supply, the story of Erin Brockovich is an inspirational reminder of the power of the human spirit. Her passion, tenacity and steadfast desire to fight...
In a world where heroes are often in short supply, the story of Erin Brockovich is an inspirational reminder of the power of the human spirit. Her passion, tenacity and steadfast desire to fight for the rights of the underdog defied the odds…her victory made even more sweet by the fact that while helping others, she in turn helped herself.
Erin Brockovich is a stirring, funny and unconventional drama based on true events, starring two-time Academy Award* nominee Julia Roberts as the twice-divorced mother of three young children who sees an injustice, takes on the bad guy and wins.
With no money, no job and no prospects on the horizon, Erin Brockovich (Roberts) is a woman in a tight spot. Following a car accident in which Erin is not at fault, she finds herself even worse off when her attorney fails to land her any kind of settlement. With nowhere else to turn, Erin pleads with her attorney Ed Masry (Albert Finney) to hire her at his law firm. It is there, while working, that Erin stumbles upon some medical records placed in real estate files. Confused, she begins to question the connection. She convinces Ed to allow her to investigate, where she discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water in a local community which is causing devastating illnesses among its residents.
Although the local citizens are initially leery of becoming involved, Erin's persistence and the personal interest she takes in their lives makes them listen. A kindred spirit, Erin is one of them, and her ability to connect with them on their level makes them comfortable, ultimately earning their trust. Helping her out is her next door neighbor George (Aaron Eckhart), a Harley Davidson biker whose friendship and support allows her the time to pursue the case. Going door to door, she signs up over 600 plaintiffs, and Erin and Ed, with the help of a major law firm, go on to receive the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history....$333 million. By triumphing over insurmountable odds, she is able to prove herself, and reinvent her life.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Conchata Ferrell, Cherry Jones, Peter Coyote, Jamie Harrold, Mimi Kennedy, Tracey Walter, Veanne Cox
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Composer: Thomas Newman
Reviews for Erin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich always seems to find an unexpected angle just when it's most necessary.
Finney's performance is pure pleasure, and he seems to draw out the best in Roberts in their playfully comic scenes together.
Roberts does what the best movie stars do. She makes you believe in Erin Brockovich as a living, breathing human being even as you're also constantly aware that you're watching Julia Roberts on screen.
Susannah Grant's script gets to the engrossing bare bones of Erin's search for justice.
It's a fun movie with a heart, and definitely worth the big screen treatment.
[Roberts' character is] foul-mouthed, trashy, a legal pit bull ... and she's wonderful.
The film exploits Julia Roberts' role as a 'pretty woman,' whose prettiness is toyed with by the awful --yet eye-catching-- clothes she wears, and which glamorizes the character's less exciting qualities that drive the story.
Latest News for Erin Brockovich
October 22, 2007:
Paramount, MTV Doing Bong Hits 4 Jesus
Good news, schoolchildren of America: Getting suspended is now a viable ticket to cinematic immortality. More...
July 20, 2007:
Catalina Sandina Morena Joins Soderbergh's Che Films
Did you know that Steven Soderbergh was making a movie about Che Guevara? Starring Benicio Del Toro in the title role? Yeah, me too. But somehow I missed the news that he was... More...
April 04, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: Charlotte's Web
It's not hosted in an "official" capacity, so if you want to be the first kid on your block to check out the brand-new trailer for "Charlotte's Web," you'll... More...
July 07, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: Corpse Bride
Sure, the original teaser trailer was a good drop of fun, but the all-new theatrical trailer for Tim Burton's "Corpse Bride" is now up for your enjoyment at Yahoo!... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Erin Brockovich at Rotten Tomatoes
- Erin Brockovich at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

