Top 10 Things Erin Brockovich Got Factually Right & Wrong

You might be surprised by the things Erin Brockovich got factually right and wrong. For this list, we’ll be looking at what was fact and what was fiction in this Hollywood drama. Our countdown includes Erin made $2 million, Erin’s wardrobe, Erin was Miss Wichita, and more! MsMojo ranks the things Erin Brockovich got right and wrong. Were you surprised by the true story of Erin Brockovich? Let us know in the comments!

Watch more great Right and Wrong related videos here:

Have Your Idea Become A Video!

Subscribe for more great content!

MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.

#ErinBrockovich #JuliaRoberts

[UncoordinatedPixie]

And the waitress at the diner was the real Erin Brockovich Ellis. Ellis's character's name was Julia.

[princesssmileyface]

The water scene, was such a power move, and I’m glad it happened in real life 👍🏻🙌🏻

[sergeantmasson]

In real life, I personally had a few conversations with Erin Brockovich regarding another situation. She is an amazing lady and nobody to mess with. She gave me some great advice and it worked.

[moviegeek]

Glad the Hinkley Water moment was accurate. I would have done that myself.

[elulugnie]

I read her autobiography. She's awesome. Other points of her life which kinda suck were that the law company had to PAY her boyfriend to babysit her kids. He didn't do it for free. He also sued the filmmakers for some bs when the movie was out. She also had to spend a bulk of her $2 million taking one of her kids in and out of rehab as he was suffering from substance abuse. Her book is also inspiring in that she encourages the reader to make it through tough times so it also kinda reads as a self help book.

[HelloXrancidkitteh]

but the REAL ERIN was in the same diner scene as the real Ed! she was playing the waitress named 'Julia'. I'm actually surprised it wasn't mentioned along with mentioning the real Ed...
this is one of my favorite movies though, so good.

[thwilbury]

At 5:58, the $133.6 million of the settlement going back to the Masry & Vititoe was laid out pretty clear. You had it correct earlier in the video: the disappointment and/or outrage had more to do with the seeming randomness of the distributions. But that lawyer's cut is about par for the course for a contingency fee agreement.

[Panwere]

The simple truth is, there are no real happy endings when a company like PG&E is allowed to lie and endanger lives.

[williamraphael]

5:50 Actually I remember that a percentage of 40% or something was mentioned in the film, and Erin defended that the law firm was also taking a risk. So they would receive nothing if the case was lost. Thanks!

[natalieps]

That scene about bringing that water in from the well in hinkley was brilliant. These lawyers acting all high & mighty & not giving a shit about the affected people but they get nervous to drink the water & the lawyer doesn't. Shows u when up close those lawyers dont trust their clients either but schill for them.

[vanityplates]

Of course hearing what they got wrong was sad, the fact that PG&E is still a thing, makes me sick.

[daviddewey]

I'm so blown away the water from Hinckley bit actually happened! That is savagely awesome!

[rosebookfan]

Non-Fiction or Fiction Erin was & is still an inspiration for mothers businesswomen, women in employment, & women ALL TOGETHER!!!
She proves not to be underestimated & that you can’t just sit back & let bad things happen because it’s hard or dangerous & yes, the success may not always come immediately but if you keep at it the effort & journey IS worthwhile for yourself & for the people around you.✊🏼🤩😆

[jonathangill]

I find it hard to believe that 651 people out of 1, 900 is “normal cancer rates”

[ApartmentKing]

A lot of people seem to forget that "Erin Brockovich" was a MOVIE. The screenplay was written by a screenwriter, NOT a court stenographer. It was based on actual events, but some people put so much stock in the movie, you'd think the movie came straight from a court transcript and it didn't.

[DJmph]

Maybe you could have included the fact that the man who played the judge at the hearing was the actual judge who presided over that very hearing.

[DoggosintheHouse]

Hearing that fully half of the settlement went to the law firm and that some of the victims received under six figures takes a lot of the shine off this feel-good story.
Yeah, the law firm had a lot of costs and they took a huge risk bringing the case... but on the other hand, given the health care system in the US, a settlement of under six figures probably wouldn't even cover the basic health care costs for some of the victims. It must be a horrible feeling watching your lawyer pocket so much money when you can't even afford your chemo treatment.

Maybe stories like this should be told more by the victims and less by the people who became unbelievably rich.

[WinstonSmithGPT]

“Studies show.” And who paid for those studies😂😂?

[mm_A]

The study they referenced that says there’s not an unusual amount of cancer didn’t factor in the years since areas of Hinkley were bulldozed. The most recent levels taken are still off the charts high

[vanityplates]

One of my favorite movies! Hopefully they didn't screw it up too bad. The one liners are the best. "They're called boobs Ed."