Erin Brockovich is the tale of a woman who takes on a major corporation responsible for damaging the environment and the health of the residents in a small town. Roberts' star has never shown more brightly, which is ironic since this role finds the queen of romantic comedies in a fairly non-romantic role. Roberts curses, goes off and flaunts wonder-bra-enhanced cleavage to get her way like a natural, utilizing one of her strongest points: her common-woman quality. She isn't always rock hard, though; when called for, Roberts is compassionate and caring, especially where her three children in the film are concerned. Roberts' tremendous acting job aside, the role itself is a dream. Erin has been through the ringer, but she refuses to subject those around her and the audience to sob stories about her failed marriages and careers. The audience is told just enough to figure out that Erin is in the middle of a bad-luck streak, but there are no pity parties coming from Erin.

EB may not be a romantic comedy, but that doesn't mean that there isn't just a little hint of romance in the film. This sentiment comes courtesy of Erin's new neighbor George (Aaron Eckhart), who insists upon lending Erin a helping hand, despite her stern refusal of his charity. George, a Harley-loving construction worker, does manage to win Erin over, but their romance never eclipses the film's focus on Erin's budding career as an unlikely legal genius. Eckhart's performance is quite reminiscent of Sam Elliot's turn in The Mask as Cher's cycle-riding love interest.

Erin isn't alone in her quest for justice in the film; she is joined by a ready-for-retirement attorney by the name of Ed Masry (Albert Finney). Masry is hesitant to take on a case against a monster corporation at first, but Erin soon has him wrapped around her finger. Another notable performance is delivered by supporting cast member Marg Helgenberger, who plays the role of Donna Jensen, the resident of the polluted town who first gets Erin's attention. Helgenberger nails the role of the victim, capturing the sympathy of the audience as her physical plight unfolds on the screen.