How Much Worth is Your Spine? Spoilers

In summary, the film revolves around how PG&E, a corporation, polluted the land and water within a one-mile radius of its facilities with hexavalent chromium. To evade accountability, they used tactics such as destroying documents, influencing hospitals, and employing threats and bribes to deceive the local residents and obstruct justice. The female lead, an assistant at a private law firm and a single mother of three overcomes numerous obstacles through relentless efforts to uncover the truth and helps the residents seek substantial compensation.

What's remarkable about this movie is the all-encompassing support and portrayal of the female lead. This "support" is skillful, not a forced chorus of praise from hundreds of ordinary people exclaiming, "You're like an angel sent by God!" Such exaggerated praise would surely turn me away from this Mary Sue overdose.

Unlike the glamorous female empowerment narratives, the main character's dialogue in this film is often blunt but deeply satisfying to listen to. Erin Brockovich's anger stems from the most basic sense of empathy. As a mother, she is infuriated by seeing other families' little girls stricken with cancer and unable to attend school due to pollution. As a woman, she's incensed by the suffering of other women who have to undergo surgeries to remove their breasts due to pollution-related illnesses. Her determination and willingness to sacrifice are rooted in genuine righteousness and grassroots solidarity. Her coarse language cuts through the enemy's hypocritical facade, leaving the audience moved. Julia Roberts' performance is masterful in its emotional range. Her scolding her boss for not trying hard enough (though it's a misunderstanding), rebutting her boyfriend's "work is just for putting food on the table" argument, and standing up to the opposing counsel are all excellent moments. Most striking is the scene where Julia, facing the opposing lawyer, says, "What's your spine worth? What's your uterus worth? Think of a number, then multiply it by 100; that's what we'll discuss!" Her powerful words make the arrogant opposing lawyer put down his glass of water, leaving the room in frustration, showcasing her charming yet unpolished character.

The main character is not a legal professional; she doesn't even have a computer software user certificate. But after eighteen months of relentless effort, she can fluently recite the background information of all 634 victims of pollution: their phone numbers, their symptoms, and even their family connections. Her beauty, intelligence, and her innate sense of empathy and sensitivity won the trust of the plaintiffs. Even when she took one sick day, the clients were worried they might be deceived by other lawyers, calling her urgently. It's the most sincere form of public admiration, demonstrating the depth of her connection with the people. In the film, her character far surpasses her partner, a highly educated lawyer, despite their opponents having better education and wealth.

Regarding the film's impact, her charm and aura outshine all the other characters, making her the unquestionable central figure. The creators understood that the entire film hinges on the strength of the female lead. They executed this brilliantly, and it contributed to the film's success.

It's a rare female empowerment story. The critical environmental issues are also portrayed with thoroughness. Today, as global problems like air pollution and water contamination intensify, this movie remains relevant and thought-provoking. One can only hope for more films like this and fewer issues depicted in this movie to exist in reality.