Change in Gender Roles: Movie Review

Erin Brockovich

Synopsis:

"ˇ§Erin Brockovichˇ¨ is directed by Steven Soderbergh, written by Susannah Grant, and released in 2000. The main characters are Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts), Ed Masry (Albert Finney), Erin's biker boyfriend George (Aaron Eckhart), and her three children. The story begins with Erin who is an unemployed single mother with three young children and desperate to find a job, but having no luck. After Erinˇ¦s lawyer Ed failed to win her injury suit from which she expected to receive compensation, she persuades Ed into hiring her in a low-level secretarial job at his law firm. Even though every one in the company looks down upon her because of her trashy clothes and earthy manners, that changes when she begins to investigate a suspicious case involving the poisoning of the water with hexavalent chromium, a deadly toxic waste, which is dumped by Pacific Gas & Electric causing devastating illnesses among its residents. Initially, the residents do not believer Erin, but they change while realizing Erinˇ¦s steadfast determination and efforts. Meanwhile, she falls in love with her neighbor, George, who is willing to take care of her children. His help allows her the time to pursue the case. Yet, she sacrifices a lot of family time with their children and his boyfriend. Finally, with over 600 plaintiffs signed up, Erin and Ed win the largest settlement paid in a direct-action suit in American history. By overcoming the difficulty, she not only makes a positive effect on the people around her but also reinvent her life."


 

[Students submitted a CD containing all the materials used during their presentation- videos, powerpoint, and paper]


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Created by Ayeh, 1-17-2005