ERIN BROCKOVICH
A gripping true-story drama reserved for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
ERIN BROCKOVICH is an extremely entertaining drama about finding one’s vocation by helping other people. Julia Roberts gives the title character warmth, vulnerability, persistence, and genuine concern for the suffering townspeople. Albert Finney and the rest of the cast add greatly to the proceedings.
The cost is substantial. Erin uses very salty language, and much of the humor involves her body and speech helping her persuade men. The movie also includes implied fornication, revealing clothing, and a humanistic worldview that fights injustice without reference to God, the Bible, or religious faith.
Adults who can handle that content may find a compelling case study in courage, compassion, and persistence. Families with children or young teens should choose something else. For discerning adults, this is worth the trip.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESErin Brockovich is a twice-divorced single mother who loses another job and gets into an auto accident. When she shames her lawyer into giving her work, she discovers medical records hidden among real estate files for a family living in the California desert.
Erin begins asking questions and persuades her lawyer to let her investigate. Her persistence uncovers a possible connection between contaminated water and devastating illnesses affecting nearly an entire desert town.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly entertaining, accomplished drama. Steven Soderbergh handles the story directly and straightforwardly, while maintaining a smooth, high-energy pace that holds attention.
Julia Roberts showcases her talents as Erin, combining forceful speech and physical confidence with warmth and vulnerability. Her concern for the townspeople helps viewers identify with her. The cast works well together, especially Albert Finney as the lawyer. The film keeps its focus on Roberts while still highlighting each character and situation.
The Worldview
ERIN BROCKOVICH takes a compassionate moral stance toward righting a terrible wrong. Erin’s persistence, personal concern, and willingness to pursue justice help the townspeople gain a hearing. The film also presents finding one’s vocation through helping others as a meaningful good.
But the battle is secular. The movie offers no reference to God, the Bible, or any religious faith community, so its moral concern lacks the deepest transcendent value the source review associates with truly great filmmaking. The film also contains feminist elements, presenting Erin’s fight as the kind of humanistic struggle favored by Hollywood.
The film’s central longing is to make wrongs right and protect people from those who abuse power. Scripture likewise calls us to justice: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Humanist worldview with feminist & moral elements; 84 obscenities & 18 profanities; very brief mild violence including speeding car slams into rear of other car; implied fornication; upper male nudity, woman in underwear in one bedroom scene & woman wears revealing clothes throughout most of movie; alcohol use; smoking; and, business corruption & pollution.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Erin’s persistence helps her pursue justice for people whose health has been damaged. What does faithful action for the vulnerable look like in your own community?
Micah 6:8 · Proverbs 31:8–9The film presents helping others as a way to find one’s vocation. How can your gifts become a form of service rather than self-promotion?
1 Peter 4:10 · Ephesians 2:10Erin uses strong language while speaking her mind. How should Christians pursue honesty and courage without letting speech harm others?
Ephesians 4:29 · Colossians 4:6The movie seeks moral justice without reference to God or Scripture. What is gained when justice is rooted in God’s character?
Psalm 89:14 · Amos 5:24The Final Word
ERIN BROCKOVICH is a highly entertaining, well-acted drama about persistence, compassion, and pursuing justice. Its abundant profanity, sexualized presentation, and secular worldview make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a family night, see.
