Erin Brockovich (2000)

The critic calls it compulsive viewing thanks to Roberts' sensationally showy performance and Finney's lovable supporting turn in this emotionally rich true-story drama.

The critic praises Julia Roberts for delivering a superlative, Oscar-worthy performance as the trashy single mother turned crusader, bringing vulnerability, wit and determination to the role. Soderbergh is lauded for crafting an intensely funny and emotionally satisfying film that highlights individual impact against corporate power, though it remains predictable.

The critic praises Julia Roberts' monumental, exuberant performance as her best role, highlighting her chemistry with Albert Finney and the film's balance of maternal care, legal drama, and gender reversal. The screenplay is called a model for dramatizing issues while humanizing them, with Soderbergh's direction exemplary.

The critic calls the film an irresistible, hugely satisfying feminist fairy tale that turns Norma Rae into the protagonist of A Civil Action. He singles out Julia Roberts' textured, star-powered performance and Steven Soderbergh's restraint and intelligence in handling mainstream material.

The critic praises Julia Roberts' complex, edgy performance as the spirited but flawed heroine and Steven Soderbergh's restrained, respectful direction that avoids sentimentality and cinematic tricks.

The movie is a feel-good crowd-pleaser that embraces every cliché but delivers laughs, tears and cheers thanks to Julia Roberts' vibrant performance. Soderbergh directs with restraint, making it likely to earn her an Oscar nomination.

The critic praises Soderbergh for bringing indie sensibilities to a mainstream studio film, focusing on character relationships over procedural elements. Roberts is transformed into an Oscar-winning actress, with her 'numbers' monologue highlighted as a standout.

The critic highlights Soderbergh's fresh, intelligent approach and humanist focus, singling out Roberts' credible and magnificent characterisation as the film's standout element.

An exhilarating and very satisfying true-life story that takes Julia Roberts into more realistic territory with snappy dialogue and humor. Soderbergh keeps the focus sharp on the determined heroine while delivering heart and commercial appeal.

The review commends Steven Soderbergh for directing a true story without clichés or courtroom drama, focusing instead on the working-class struggles and Roberts' performance framed by authentic portrayal of class prejudice. It notes the leisurely pace but effective storytelling without wasted moments.

The critic praises the film's portrayal of Erin Brockovich as a determined working-class woman taking on a corporation, highlighting Julia Roberts' dominant and empowering performance. He notes it is a triumphalist story lacking the complexity of similar films like The Insider.

The critic praises Julia Roberts' star turn as Erin Brockovich, highlighting her energy and the film's focus on her self-discovery and the class conflict in the true story of the PG&E lawsuit. Soderbergh's crisp direction and the strong supporting performances, especially Albert Finney, are singled out for making the long film engaging.

The critic finds the upbeat, inspirational melodrama obvious and repetitive but enormously enjoyable thanks to Julia Roberts' heavenly, rampaging star turn as a moral heroine who protects the weak while staying true to herself. Soderbergh is praised for staying out of the way of Roberts' force of nature.

Roberts is celebrated for her fizzing, triumphant performance as the foul-mouthed environmental avenger, making the most of the David-versus-Goliath story and her character's wardrobe and wisecracks. Soderbergh is noted for sidestepping clichés in a well-crafted film but is mildly faulted for not pushing boundaries further or avoiding occasional cringiness.

The film is undercut by Julia Roberts' performance and provocative wardrobe choices that upstage the story of environmental litigation. Supporting characters lack depth and the screenplay feels thin and by-the-numbers.

The critic praises Soderbergh for elevating a standard triumph-over-adversity story into a slick, edifying studio picture without turning it into a dull civics lesson, highlighting the humanist approach and strong performances by Roberts, Finney, and Eckhart.

The critic sees Erin Brockovich as one of the best and most influential films of 2000, a commercially successful star vehicle that proved the appeal of female-driven dramas. They single out Julia Roberts' vibrant, Oscar-winning performance as the real-life heroine fighting corporate power for particular praise.

The critic highlights Julia Roberts' strong performance as the feisty single mother who uncovers corporate wrongdoing, noting that Albert Finney adds class to the proceedings. Soderbergh directs in a straightforward manner, making it a tribute to determined legwork in a David vs Goliath story.

The review describes it as Soderbergh's turn as a studio hand with Julia Roberts, resulting in a smash hit that earned her an Oscar and him a directing nomination; it highlights the true story of the single mom fighting corporate evil, her disagreeable yet effective nature, and the film's exploration of the feminine dilemma.