March 19, 2000 -- Julia Roberts is dazzling in her latest performance as the title character in "Erin Brockovich," a movie based on a true story about woman who has a foul mouth, dresses like a cheap hooker, but who has a mind like a steel trap.

Erin, down on her luck, loses her job (she should have tried Hooters) and gets hit by a car, only to lose the case in court because of the above-mentioned foul mouth. Desperate for a job, she uses her brass to get a job at a small law office. One day a case is dropped on her desk, literally. Using her brainpower and considerable beauty, she is able to put together a very damaging case against a polluting power company.

The only other thing that Erin has problems with, it seems, besides having a foul mouth and poor taste in clothing, is her taste in men. Divorced twice at an early age, she does her best to drive away her motorcycle-riding boyfriend who lives next door, George, (played by Aaron Eckhart of "In the Company of Men" and "Any Given Sunday"). Although Erin claims to have good people skills, she tends to be very abrasive much of the time.

It is easy to sympathize with Erin, however, and the reason for that has more to do with her situation in life than because of the fact she is brainy and beautiful. She has to raise three kids alone. This movie shows how tough that is and how the government does not help one bit. They will only help, it seems, if you don't want to work. She gets no respect for who she really is. There is no end of jobs she could have done, if only she had the opportunity. As soon as she gets and opportunity, she makes the most of it.

Because Erin has been downtrodden for so long, she can empathize for those who are being treated unjustly by the power company, and the people in the small town of Hinkley can see that. They trust her. She says, "I'm not a lawyer, I just work for one." The bond she has with these people is well-depicted in the movie and is quite believable. That's why she is able to work with them so well when others cannot. All of this comes from Roberts. It is a great performance.

Another fine performance is given by one of our finest actors, Albert Finney ("Simpatico") who plays the attorney Ed Masry. The battle of wits and wills between Erin and Masry and between Erin and her boyfriend, George (Aaron Eckhart), provides a lot additional dramatic, romantic and humorous thrust in the film. This is a very powerful, humorous and dramatically moving film, expertly directed by Steven Soderberg and well-written by Susannah Grant. It never gives an inch. One of the best films of the year so far, and it isn't even a courtroom drama. It rates an A.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.