Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman and My Best Friend’s Wedding) and has solidified a career like few of her peers, currently standing as a mega-star in the film industry. With multiple successful titles and various significant accolades, she is the lead in the latest Netflix trend.
Despite the movie becoming the eighth most-watched on the streaming platform in the United States, it is a classic from 2000. The drama was directed by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic and Behind the Candelabra), based on a script developed by Susannah Grant (The 5th Wave and Unbelievable).
The story is based on the life of Erin Brockovich, an activist and legal assistant who played a crucial role in the legal battle against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Its success was so significant that it even managed to secure some Oscars.
Erin Brockovich ranked #4 on Netflix US
Erin Brockovich not only became a gem of the 2000s but also earned Julia Roberts some awards for her incredible performance in the lead role. On the afternoon of Thursday, January 25, the title once again trended on Netflix, solidifying its position as the eighth most-watched movie in the United States.
According to the specialized site Flix Patrol, it not only entered the top 10 in a good position but also surpassed other major productions. So far, it has outperformed the action thriller “Blood and Bone” and “Escape Plan: The Extractors” with Sylvester Stallone and Dave Bautista.
The story of Erin Brockovich had a significant impact on public awareness of environmental pollution and corporate responsibility. The activist became a public figure and an environmental advocate, and her life was praised for highlighting the struggle of an ordinary person against a powerful corporation.
The film itself attempts to portray the more intimate aspects of her life and how she became an important figure. It begins by depicting Erin as a single and unemployed mother who gets a job at a small law firm.
While performing routine tasks, she uncovers evidence that PG&E is contaminating the water supply in the town of Hinkley, California, with hexavalent chromium, a dangerous chemical compound. Despite lacking formal legal training, she convinces her bosses to let her investigate and ultimately leads a massive lawsuit against the company.
Erin Brockovich turned Julia Roberts into an Oscar winner
As expected, Erin Brockovich received very positive reviews, especially for Julia Roberts’ performance. The film was a major commercial success and won several awards, including the Academy Award for Julia Roberts as Best Actress and a nomination for Albert Finney as Best Supporting Actor.
This was the first Oscar win for the star, who was 33 years old at the time. That was her last recognition within the Academy Awards. During the 2001 ceremony, she had to compete with several other established figures to take home the golden statuette, which elevated her status as an actress.
Roberts’ performance was sublime, earning her the honor. However, the category was filled with talent, and among the competitors were Joan Allen for The Contender, Juliette Binoche for Chocolat, Ellen Burstyn for Requiem for a Dream and Laura Linney for You Can Count On Me.
