Soderbergh has directed a variety of films, from action-packed thrillers like the Ocean Eleven series to socially conscious ones like Good Night, Good Luck. He won the Academy Award for directing Traffic, another socially conscious film, but also an action-packed adventure. Both Erin Brockovich and Traffic were released in 2000, and for the 2001 Academy Awards, both were nominated as Best Picture and Best Directing, a most unusual feat for any director. Both are considered among his most successful films. 
In 1989, Soderbergh garnered incredible fame with Sex, Lies, and Videotape, which he directed and scripted. The film earned him a coveted Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or, the youngest director to win this recognition. In effect, his success was launched not just in Hollywood but internationally.
Soderbergh often works with the same cast of actors, such as George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Don Cheadle, and Matt Damon, all featured in the Ocean Eleven series. Of late, Soderbergh produced Michael Clayton, starring George Clooney. Clooney was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor in three films Soderbergh directed, and although Clooney did not win for Michael Clayton or Good Night, Good Luck, he won for Soderberg's Syrania.
Possibly, you have seen Soderbergh films in addition to Erin Brockovich. If so, let us know how these films compare. If not, what do you think of Soderbergh as a director based on viewing just one of his films? Post your comments.
Pictures of Soderbergh are from the photo gallery in International Movie Database.
3 comments:
If you look at Erin Brockavich, and the Ocean's Eleven Series there are many directorial similarities that I am only seeing now. For example in Erin Brockavich and in Ocean's 11 Soderbergh uses many of the same shots to portray the movie to the viewer, such as extreme close ups on actors and important object, use of a silent scene, and underlying comedy.
Traffic was quite different from Erin Brockovich. To be totally honest, I didn't like Traffic very much -- it was too disjointed, too long, and too confusing. I liked Erin Brockovich a lot better.
Having seen Ocean's Eleven and Erin Brockovich, I can understand why Soderbergh tends to use the same group of actors in his films. George Clooney and Julia Roberst bring Soderbergh's visions to life very well; they are able to infuse comedy into situations and evoke strong emotions in viewers.
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