Erin Brockovich – International Women’s Day (Recommendation)

 

Year: 2000

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Julia Roberts, Erin Brockovich, Albert Finney, Aaron Eckhart, Marg Helgenberger, Conchata Ferrell, Peter Coyote, Scotty Leavenworth, Cherry Jones, Tracey Walter

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCQGydFK_hM

 

 

 

Today is International Women’s Day. A day dedicated to championing and celebrating what it means to be female. As such, I decided to recommend a film that not only questions every female stereotype in Hollywood, but inspires girls to achieve more and to never give up on their dreams.

 

Erin Brockovich is the title of today’s film, and the name of the person this biopic drama is based on. Erin (Julia Roberts) is a single mother of three who has no steady income, In a last ditch attempt at finding a job, she approaches attorney, Ed Masry (Albert Finney). He finally concedes andoffers her a legal admin role. That is until she stumbles upon medical records that have the power to change people’s lives, as they allude to a cover-up that involved poisoning hundreds of people.

 

In Hollywood, we often see women playing the defenceless damsel or, occasionally, the sidekick. In Erin Brockovich, we see every stereotype thrown aside. Erin emphasised multiple times as being a is a single mother who wears provocative clothing. This allows her to be shown in a way that differs from other female protagonists; she bites back at anyone trying to pigeonhole her. Erin doesn’t allow for any form of subtle or overt sexism, from women or men, She is self-empowered and unapologetic, which makes her a beautiful character to watch.

 

An extremely comical moment of this is when Erin mocks the lawyers from the an aiding law firm, after they make snide remarks on her intelligence. When they asked how Erin delivered on a supposedly impossible task, she replies “Well, um, seeing as how I have no brains or legal expertise… I just went out there and performed sexual favours. Six hundred and thirty-four blow jobs in five days… I’m really quite tired.” She delivers this with such beguiling sincerity that crudeness is forgotten, leaving an audience in awe of her, making me want to respond to all sexism with the same confidence and sass as Erin.

 

When plaintiffs in the legal battle start to lose faith in the cause and the outcome, Erin was a beacon of determination and support for all of them. She was the improbable whistle-blower and trailblazer for the cause that ensured that people were compensated millions for their man induced illnesses. As a person and film, Erin Brockovich is inspiring, each time I hear one of her witting comebacks or empowering speeches, I feel rejuvenated, as though my inner feminist is jumping for joy.

 

Erin Brockovich is an inspiring, emotional, and heart-warming film that teaches persistence, tolerance, and hard work will help you to achieve your dreams, reminding us all to never judge a book by its cover.

 

Other International Women’s Day Films:

• Yentil (1983)
• Suffragette (2015)
• Frida (2002)
• Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
• The Color Purple (1985)
• Carol (2015)