This is a terrific movie, with a starring performance by Julia Roberts that's as funny, romantic and justifiably self-confident as any seen on the screen since Hollywood's golden age.

That it works as well as it does -- and it does -- is testimony to both Roberts' pure screen presence and the particular genius of Steven Soderbergh.

At last, those teeth of Julia Roberts have something red to chomp on. Erin Brockovich is her best role to date. She takes it between her choppers and exuberantly draws the juice out of it. Her performance is monumental.

Julia Roberts shines in an adaptation that makes paperwork compelling and a court case that never goes to trial.