Erin Brockovich

If you want a drama that takes its characters as seriously as its plot, Erin Brockovich is available in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the UK on Sky Go and Now TV Cinema right now. The length is exactly right for the story it is telling — nothing rushed, nothing dragged out. A 7/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Watch it for Julia Roberts — one of the stronger performances out there right now. Available now on BINGE — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Part of the current wave of titles people are actually watching, Erin Brockovich earns its spot. Character-driven storytelling at its most effective — Erin Brockovich earns every emotional beat it goes for. A twice-divorced mother of three who sees an injustice, takes on the bad guy and wins -- with a little help from her push-up bra. Erin goes to work for an attorney and comes across medical records describing illnesses clustered in one nearby town. She starts investigating and soon exposes a monumental cover-up. Julia Roberts and Albert Finney lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2000. The performances in Erin Brockovich do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Erin Brockovich. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Julia Roberts carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.