An Analysis of the Opening of Erin Brockovich

An Analysis of the Opening of Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich is a film based on the true story of a poor single

mother who becomes a lawyer. The film is basically a comedy drama,

although not laugh out loud funny, just ironically funny. Steven

Soderbergh directs it, and it is his 12th film after his hugely

successful film 'Traffic'.

The first scene is in some sort of doctor's office; she is applying

for a job. The first thing I noticed when watching this is the

position of the camera, it is almost a point of view shot of Erin,

slightly offset of the doctor, but none the less she is slightly below

the camera, and we are very close up. To me this seems to emphasise

her nervousness, and when there is a jump cut to a further away angle

we, as the audience, are put in the position of the interviewer. We

are then treated to a mid shot of the doctor himself; Erin behind the

camera still waffling on nervously, the doctor does not seem

impressed. In the background we see several skyscrapers, which gives

us the impression we are high up, a metaphor perhaps for Erin's real

place, i.e. the bottom.

Erin is dressed in very informal wear, low cut top, excessive cleavage

showing. She does not seem dressed for an interview; this gives us the

impression that she either doesn't understand this principle, or these

are her best clothes! Her makeup is also very much not appropriate,

blue mascara. The interviewer is wearing typical doctor's clothing.

The sound of the dialogue is what is concentrated on in the scene,

however we can hear the sound of traffic from outside of the office. I

feel as though the sound of Erin's voice has been slightly exaggerated

to emphasise her nervous and waffling dialogue.

The lighting for the room is high key and natural, the light emanating

primarily form the large window overlooking the town. The room is

given a sort of blue hue, which I feel emphasises the cold of the