Seeing the title of the film, coupled with Julia Roberts, I wondered if it was another inspirational film in which the process could almost be guessed. The beginning of the film is indeed as expected, but after watching the entire film, you will know that it is far more than that simple. It is indeed an uncompromising story, but above all, it is about connecting with the masses.
Julia's Irene opens with a classic dilemma: middle-aged woman, divorced, three kids, job loss, job hunting, and all kinds of unpaid bills. These tastes are really bad. Then came a car accident.
Erin finds lawyer Ed, but loses the case. After repeatedly trying to find a job, Erin desperately asks Ed to give her a job.
Now it's where I want to say. When Erin was sorting through the real estate case files, she discovered that a resident had put his medical records in the file. Usually, we laugh at this situation, thinking that the plaintiff must be mistaken. But Erin didn't. She really couldn't figure out why medical records would appear in real estate cases. She decided to visit the plaintiff on the spot.
There are two important points here. One is that Erin found something that didn't make sense in the file, and instead of giving herself a coherent explanation, she was determined to figure it out. So can't you make a phone call? This also brings us to the second point, we have to think about the problem from the standpoint of the people. In contrast, on-site visits are obviously a better choice, although it will be troublesome and cost a lot more, but at least it is sincere.
After getting a general understanding of the situation, she consulted her academic friends about professional issues and found out the harmfulness of hexavalent chromium to the human body. It was precisely because it sounded so terrifyingly harmful that she wanted to dig further. This step is in the same line with the previous two points, step by step.
She went to the local water committee to check the information. Seeing that the person doing things here is an otaku, so I used a little sexy trick, and I got my wish.
As the investigation deepened, she found that the power company was indeed discharging extremely harmful waste water, and on the other hand, she found that the residents knew nothing about it. Conscience told her that she must continue to investigate.
The seriousness with which she took the case also infected Jensen, who initially put the medical records in, who began to believe her and told her former neighbors about her. The neighbor came here especially and told Erin about his situation.
That's the benefit of being hands-on, people will choose to believe that you're here to help them, not just for the money, like they do with a bunch of lawyers.
Ed and Irene brought the two families together to discuss countermeasures. After giving a reasonable fee, Irene started a larger-scale visit and research.
She was real, walking from house to house, asking carefully about the situation. It's the same as our home visit for poverty alleviation. The more she understands the situation, the more determined she is to fight a lawsuit and help everyone respond. That's the beauty of investigations, not only do you have a voice, but these things will definitely infect you, and they will definitely inspire a strong sense of social responsibility in you—if you have any.
Of course, conflict comes. Ed knew that what they were facing was a giant with assets of more than 20 billion US dollars, and the two of them alone could really shake the tree. But Irene is a stupefied young man with little experience, more than 20 billion is a lot, but in her opinion, it's just a number. But those who were attacked by toxic waste water, got cancer, and ruined their lives were actually hundreds of real families. Ed also gave in, as long as Irene found substantial evidence, he was willing to give it a shot.
So she started a more diligent investigation. I personally went to the power company to find relevant evidence, distributed leaflets at the banquet to let everyone pay attention, and continued to analyze and judge with Ed.
Jensen's tumor turned malignant, and they couldn't wait. So a lawsuit was filed. Fortunately, they met a good judge, a judge with a conscience. The judge dismissed all of the parent company's defenses, expressing his own concerns as a member of the public. This made the head office's attorney look very ugly.
The next step is to further improve the material and prepare for a lawsuit.
There are two scenes that moved me. One was that PG&E head office sent representatives to negotiate a settlement. They offered $20 million in damages and an arrogant attitude, which instantly annoyed Erin. She not only scolded them aggressively, but also asked them to consider whether the amount was enough from the perspective of the people, and incidentally asked them if it was her who was sick
Will there be such a price? The most murderous thing was that the representative of the other party was ready to drink water after being confused. Irene said that they brought the water from the factory on purpose. The representative froze for a moment, at a loss. Too sarcastic and too relieved.
The other is that Ed's "disappeared" partner is now here to "help". The accompanying lawyer Tereza is also arrogant and asks Irene to tidy up the file logically, so that she can check the gaps and fill in the gaps. Irene was extremely calm, but there was an unconcealed hostility in her tone. After Tereza joked that she wouldn't memorize everyone's phone numbers, Erin insisted on who she wanted. After saying a name, Irene not only reported the phone number, but also the comrade's own situation, family situation and social relationship. The two of them were stunned.
Erin has really done a good job of keeping in touch with the masses, and I believe she really remembers the situation of every family. She not only established a deep friendship with them, but also strengthened her determination to serve the people.
Ninety percent of the defendants' consent is required before the final public court ruling. Otherwise, they can only be sentenced one by one, which usually takes years or even decades. Eileen didn't want to burn down so long, so she convened everyone for a meeting, hoping that everyone could sign the consent form. Of course, some people are unwilling to sign, and Xiaozhi is moved by emotion. Those who didn't show up, Erin did the old way again, visiting one by one.
In the end, of course, good triumphs over evil.
Irene's hard work and everyone's joy after learning that they can get compensation is the best proof of close contact with the masses.
She really helped them, let them understand that it was not their fault that they got sick, someone should be held responsible, and they should be compensated. She travels from place to place, busy and busy, and everyone likes and trusts her, so they are willing to provide everything they need.
They also transformed her. She had no purpose in life before, her two husbands left her, and her life was a mess. But after all this, she felt respected for the first time, and she was really willing to work hard for their better life. The reason why she can have full confidence in the face of those arrogance is because she knows everyone's situation well. She really went one by one, so she really remembered it.
It takes a lot of time to arrive at each household, but for them, their life may be based on Irene's visit and research.
Mass work is not easy to do, just like Irene's illness and her partner's different practices make everyone think they have been deceived again. But the crowd was also the cutest, and their gratitude to Erin's group was so sincere and warm.
Of course, we must not forget the sacrifices of our families. George helped take care of the children and suppressed his dreams for a while. The children also did not understand from the beginning, to the active concern later. It's not easy.
It is precisely because there has been no compromise that the big guy has been compensated, Ed has a bigger office, and Irene's life has been completely renewed. And close contact with the masses is the magic weapon for victory.
View more about Erin Brockovich reviews
