The Film: The big time. By this point Soderbergh was working fast and fluently, and his third film in as many years was this unpatronising issue drama starring genuine A-lister Julia Roberts.

Roberts was earnest and stubborn as the hard-working single ma campaigning for victims of water supply poisoning, and led the film to the biggest box-office numbers of Soderbergh's career – over $250 million worldwide.

She also won the Oscar for best actress, while the film was nominated for best picture and Soderbergh for best director.

Soderbergh Speaks: “If you're trying to sneak something under the wire, by which I mean an adult, intelligent film with no sequel potential, no merchandising, no high concept and no big hook, it's nice to have one of the world's most bankable stars sneaking under with you.”