La critique de James Berardinelli (suite)

When a pro bono real estate case file comes across her desk, Erin becomes intrigued and begins investigating. She soon learns that the water supply of the property in question may have been contaminated with hexavalent chromium, a "highly toxic, highly carcinogenic" compound that can get into a person's DNA. Erin's efforts uncover hundreds of potential victims of Pacific Gas & Electric's illegal dumping policy, and the information she puts together is convincing enough that Ed agrees to pursue the case. But fighting a $28 billion corporation in court is a daunting and expensive prospect, and Ed isn't sure he has the resources to see it through to the end. Meanwhile, the amount of time Erin is spending working is putting a strain on her relationship with her boyfriend (Aaron Eckhart) and keeping her away from her three children for lengthy periods of time.

Erin Brockovich is a unique legal thriller in that, during an era when overplotted and contrived stories like those of John Grisham define the genre, this movie is not littered with throw-away plot devices designed exclusively to generate tension. With only a minor exception, Erin is not followed by shadowy figures. She does not become the target of violence and terroristic threats. Erin Brockovich's suspense does not arise from the likelihood that someone will do something to harm her or her family (although the possibility certainly exists), but from the question of whether a David can succeed in today's legal world against "[Goliath's] whole family". This is the story of someone on the moral high ground fighting for what is right in a legal arena that too often favors those who have money to burn.