What is the tragedy and comedy in erin brockovich film?
"Erin Brockovich" is a biographical film directed by Steven Soderbergh and released in 2000. It stars Julia Roberts in the titular role. The film is a dramatization of the true story of Erin Brockovich, a legal assistant who played a major role in building a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993. The case alleged that the contamination of drinking water with hexavalent chromium in the town of Hinkley, California, caused a cluster of illnesses among the town's residents.
The tragedy in "Erin Brockovich" can be found in several elements of the film's narrative:
1. Public Health Crisis: The core tragic element is the serious and widespread health issues faced by the residents of Hinkley, such as cancers, miscarriages, and other diseases believed to be caused by the contaminated water supplied by PG&E.
2. Corporate Negligence: The tragedy is compounded by the depiction of PG&E's negligence and apparent disregard for the welfare of the community, as well as their initial attempts to cover up their responsibility for the pollution.
3. Personal Suffering: The individual stories of the victims, as well as Erin's own struggles as a single mother trying to make ends meet, add a personal and relatable layer to the tragedy.
The comedy in the film is derived largely from Erin's character and her interactions with others:
1. Erin's Personality: Erin Brockovich's forthright and sassy personality, as well as her unorthodox approach to professionalism, inject humor into the film. Her quick wit and blunt remarks often lead to comical moments.
2. Cultural Clashes: The film exploits the fish-out-of-water trope for comedic effect, as Erin, with her flashy attire and no-nonsense attitude, navigates the stuffy and conservative world of law.
3. Character Dynamics: The film includes light-hearted and humorous interactions among the characters, particularly between Erin and her boss, Ed Masry (played by Albert Finney). Their banter provides relief from the more serious aspects of the narrative.
"Erin Brockovich" is often classified as a drama because of its serious subject matter, but the inclusion of comedic elements facilitated by the charisma of Julia Roberts' performance makes the narrative more accessible and provides balance to the weighty themes of the story. The film was critically acclaimed and received multiple award nominations, with Roberts winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich.