Comedy meets real-life in Erin Brockovich, a superb new film starring Julia Roberts. She's the title character, a real person (the real Erin, supposedly, is the waitress in the beginning of the movie) who is responsible for the largest lawsuit to date, $330 million, against a company that poisoned a town's drinking water.

Basically, throughout the movie, Roberts dresses like a slut, and after a while, her variety of outfits become one of the gags of the movie. But cleavage may seem weak for entertainment, so Erin Brockovich also is filled to the brim with smart humor and expressive... expressions. What results is a great blend of comedy and law proceedings (the funniest part about the movie is that Erin is such a bitch, but in a nice, caring way, that we, the audience, are able to feel for her yet let her get away at swearing at every person who crosses her path), though the law proceedings definitely take a back seat.

That's not to saw that the big case, the reason why Erin deserves a "biographical" movie, is not important. The movie works the emotions and points out time and time again that the people have suffered greatly, and that the big company is to blame. The movie starts out with two different identities - Erin's family life and her work life - and cleverly blends them together until, by the end, they are one and the same. As she devotes more and more time to the case, her family begins to suffer because of that, including her relationship with the surprisingly kind and warm biker that lives next door. So the film is about the case, but what makes the movie so enjoyable is the comedy.

In terms of acting, Erin Brockovich has it. Julia Roberts is very believable and entertaining, even if she does have a short temper (again, this is used as comedic relief at the very ending, where she receives her paycheck). Albert Finney is the lawyer Ed Masry, and his subtle mumbling and great expressions make for a very workable character. George is played by Aaron Eckhart, who also delivers a very good performance.

Erin Brockovich is a very entertaining comedic drama, and should not be overlooked.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.