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PORT PERRY "WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 2000-9 Roberts a revelation in new Soderbergh film SCREENING ly By John Foote ERIN BROCKOVICH (Peete) Directed by Steven Soderbergh MISSION TO MARS (BOMB!) Directed by Brian de Palma What an odd couple independent director Steven Soderbergh and super- star Julia Roberts make. Soderbergh has been a major force within the industry for 10 years, dabbling in various genres of film with various success. His debut film sex, lies and video- tape (1989) caused a sensation at Cannes when it premiered 11 years ago, and what I truly admire about the direc- tor is that he has never sold out to the Hollywood studio system. His recent films, Out of Sight (1998) and The Limey (1999) were stunning critical hits that placed Soderbergh among the most revered film makers working in the business, a talent able to merge con- temporary cinema with classical styles. When | heard Soderbergh's next film ~ would star Julia Roberts, I cringed as the words sell-out lit up my mind like the harshest of neons. Roberts has made the attempt in her career to be a strong actress, but always seems at home in- light romantic comedies that never real- "ly tax her ability. One wonders when watching a film such as Notting Hill (1999) or Runaway Bride (1999) whether we are watching Julia Roberts on screen, or the character she is portraying. Quite honestly, her last few films have left me wanting to run screaming from the movie theatre. Here teamed with Soderbergh, Julia Roberts gives a galvanizing, startling performance of breathtaking beauty. She will undoubtedly be a strong con- tender for the Academy Award next year, and her career will never quite be the same. This is a major breakthrough for this young woman, because here she takes risks with her carefully crafted image, throwing herself into the role with absolute abandon. Without ques- tion she displays a ferocious talent that will bring her stronger scripts, as well as greater challenges as an actor. " Soderbergh crafts a fine film based on a true story of a young woman in a small town who launches an environ- mental lawsuit that would eventually bring a $30 billion company to its knees. Cast as Brockovich, Roberts por- trays a twice-married mother of three young children who, after losing a law- suit, bullies her lawyer into giving her a job, then stumbles onto information that leads her to go on a crusade. A company has been allowed to cover up the fact they poisoned town water, which has led to devastating illnesses and death in the town. Brockovich goes on a near maniacal mission to get the corporation responsible for the tragedy, bluffing and bullying her way through the legal proceedings. Roberts is a revelation in the role, managing to merge elements of her screen persona with her character, but more importantly, bravely creating a character unlike herself. Wearing revealing, trailer trash clothing, speak- ing her mind no matter what the conse- quences, and sometimes not displaying great skills as a mother, her Erin is flawed, but ultimately decent. One is never aware of watching "another Julia Roberts film", but rather, an emerging talent convincing us she is Erin Brockovich. * Soderbergh's direction is, as always, restrained, and unlike his recent film The Limey, his approach to Erin Brockovich is linear, meaning the story goes from beginning to end in a logical manner. There are strong supporting performances from Albert Finney as her harried boss, and especially Aaron Eckhart as her biker boyfriend, who strangely becomes mother and father to Erin's kids. This is a genuinely touching performance from this young actor, free of any cliches of the standard boyfriend performances. Julia Roberts, an actress | have much maligned in my career as a critic, has given an astonishing performance. | only hope she continues to grow as an actress rather than return to the light fare she has obviously been wasted in. MISSION TO MARS At any moment in this mess of a film, had Scotty came around a corner com- plaining the engines had had all they could take, | would have whooped with relief. Hearing and seeing that lovable Scot moan about the engines would have alleviated the horrid experience that is Mission to Mars. Brian de Palma was among the great directors of the director's era of the 70s and 80s, an artist who was both original yet able to pay homage to the great films of Alfred Hitchcock. Pictures such as Phantom of the Paradise (1974), Carrie (1976), Obsession (1976), and Dressed to Kill (1980) allowed de Palma to become one of the more bankable directors of that era. His masterpiece Blow Out (1981) was a box office failure at that time, yet found a new lease on life on video, where the film starring a young John Travolta has become a cult classic. Scarface (1983) and The Untouchables (1987) would follow, both successful films with strong stylish direction, as well as excellent perfor- mances from the principal cast. In 1989 he released another masterpiece, Casualties of War, a searing exploration of American atrocities committed in Viet Nam, but the film never found an audience despite overwhelming critical Please turn to page 11 BRUCE COCKBURN BREAKFAST IN NEW ORLEANS DINNER IN TIMBUKTU "Has Cockburn ever been better in his 30 year career...God | can't imagine." - Edmonton Journal THIS TUESDAY! SHOWPLACE PETERBOROUGH Tuesday, March 21 - 8 pm Reserved Seating: $25.00 (GST incl. plus facility charge) Box Office: 742-7469 (12-5, M-F; 12-4 Sat.) A Shantero Production if you didn't receive REET FTES Port Perry Star...you aren't getting all the news! ST] oEYed go TW | [dVVA Call 985-7383 ee AB PORT PERRY Veterinary Services (905) 985-7941 1816 Scugog St., Port Perry BROOKLIN Veterinary Services (905) 655-3336 450 Winchester Rd., Brooklin Sale Runs March 16th to 25th. 2000 Sunday Hours: 12-2 pm. ; Advil Caplets Anti-inflamatory > E=99 200 mg A.S.A.Tabs ECT. 5% | "ProSik" Hair Care Products Jhirmack 325mg 2 300 mL Crabtree & Evelyn "Spring Rain" Fragrance-Free Line Now Here Wampo Bronchial Cough Syrup le's Claritin Tabs Antihistamine & Allergies Cover 2. J 2° 10 mg Dr. Nancy Silverberg graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1998. Since graduation, Nancy has worked as a small "Vitamin C Tabs Sw Maalox animal practitioner in Simcoe, Ontario. 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