Perfect Stranger (Widescreen)

 

 

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I gave this movie a chance and it wasn't working for me. Of course we have Halle, who plays Rowena, a crusading reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, who finds herself swept up in a bizarre chain of events when a friend of hers, Grace (Nicki Aycox) is killed under mysterious circumstances. Just before her death, Grace had given Rowena documentation linking her to a wealthy and powerful ad exec, Harrison Hill, played by Bruce Willis. Does Rowena share any of this information with the police? Of course not, because obstruction of justice is much more fun. Instead, she and her friend-Giovanni Ribisi constructs a plan on Hill.

Early on in this movie, it feels as if a reel or two has gone missing, as characters amble in and out of the story with no apparent reason for being there or real connection to anything. If you've ever overheard two strangers having a lengthy and in-depth conversation about people you don't know, you'll know exactly how the first half of this movie feels. Character? Not really. These people are mere constructs, brought on stage for a bit of exposition every now and again when the director wants to sledgehammer a little more "plot" into this picture.The rest of the film proceeds along similar lines, with things happening because the writers and director say they should happens, rather than one event organically and logically growing from events that precede it. The so-called "evidence" that Rowena gathers against Hill wouldn't even win her a game of Clue, much less actually result in an arrest and a conviction. There's as much tension as you're likely to get in a 15 film, and the ending, while straining cinematic elastic, isn't totally far-fetched, and could even explain Berry's performance.

Sadly, the performances in Perfect Stranger are no better than the script. Halle Berry is probably bringing her "A" game to this production. Unfortunately, that's the same "A" game she's brought to most of her pictures, including the regrettable Catwoman (Widescreen Edition). Bruce Willis, who was fabulous in the first few Die Hard Collection (Die Hard / Die Hard 2 - Die Harder / Die Hard with a Vengeance / Live Free or Die Hard - Bonus Disc)movies along with a couple of drama hits, is obviously just doing this one for the paycheck, as he doesn't even try to hide the fact that he's phoning it in. His attempts to seduce Rowena are just cold and creepy, rather than sexy and charismatic, with none of the charm he's shown in past roles. Gionvanni Ribisi, wonderful as Dex in Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (Widescreen Special Collector's Edition), seems almost embarrassed to be a part of this production, as he takes refuge in the drunken, alcoholic aspects of his character more and more as the movie progresses. Probably a wise choice. Out of all the actors I enjoy watching him the most. Another great reviewer by the name of Steven Hedge has put it well by saying that it has a TV-Movie Feel which was correctly so and should have been. Perfect Stranger could have been so much better or just left alone for that matter, indeed, a perfect miss.

"Perfect Stranger" stars Halle Berry as a news reporter who poses as an office temp and also as an on-line flirt in an attempt to secretly invade the life of advertising mogul Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), whom she suspects of murder. The film is decently paced and suspenseful throughout, with the knockout Halle Berry delivering a fine performance. Still, there's something missing in order to make this movie stand apart from your typical hollywood thriller. Watch it for Berry and for the surprise ending.

I'd heard this movie was a waste
Badly done and in poor taste
I bought it with indecent haste
(Along with staples, mints and paste)

It started oh, so very well
With people playing kiss and tell
But then something began to smell
Before the final curtain fell

Seems everybody has inside
Something that they'd rather hide
And if this movie is a guide
Be careful in whom you confide

While chatting on the internet
There's something you should not forget
Strangers are a constant threat
So don't do things you might regret

Halle Berry sifts the lies
That lead to an old friend's demise
There are some things you can't disguise
If you look deep into her eyes

I found that it was rather gripping
Though by the end the plot was slipping
I'm glad I didn't opt for skipping
But happy that I paid no shipping

Amanda Richards

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