Factual error: In the 2nd scene of the movie she is standing on the street, and in the background at the top left there is a billboard with an ad for www.quepasa.com. The movie was set in the early 90's. But the web wasn't even around then (well... not like we know it now). That web site came out in 1998. (00:02:51)
Erin Brockovich (2000)
Plot summary
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick
Pennyless single-mom Erin forces lawyer Ed Masry to give her a job as a secretary. When she gets interested in a family's medical problems, she uncovers a vast cover-up from a company who knowingly poisoned a town's water, and enagages her boss in a huge legal fight.
Arnprior
More mistakes in Erin Brockovich
Matthew Brockovich: This girl's about my age. Is she one of the people you're helping?
Erin Brockovich: Yeah, she's really sick so I'm going to get her some medicine to feel better.
Matthew Brockovich: Why doesn't her own mom get her medicine?
Erin Brockovich: Because her mom's really sick too.
Matthew Brockovich: Oh.
Trivia: In the diner when you see the real Erin Brockovich (the waitress), you can also see the real Ed Masry. He is sitting directly behind Julia Roberts and her baby. Another side note, look at the real Erin Brockovich's name-badge, it says Julia. (00:10:05)
Question: I don't know all the ins and outs of the law, but when Erin is in a car accident, she is going straight through a green light. The other guy rams into her as he tries to cross the intersection (it's not like he just cut her off making a right turn) so obviously he had a red light and not even an arguable right of way. I know money can buy you justice, but how is this not an open and shut case?
Chosen answer: I have to admit that is a bit frustrating to watch. I think that?s how the producers wanted us to feel. Making us think, "Man this chick never gets a break". It was just an unrealistic way to set up the character's life.
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Answer: They would have had to prove he ran the red light, which would require video or witnesses. It seems like Erin had no witnesses backing up her version of the story, so they wouldn't have had anyone to say he went through the red light either.