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Set in the high-powered world of New York media, this psychological thriller is a sort of inverted Basic Instinct. Perfect Stranger centres on journalist Rowena Price (Oscar winner Halle Berry), a reporter for a respected New York newspaper. When her best friend is murdered following a passionate fling with a married man, Rowena goes undercover to find the killer. The path leads her towards media mogul Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis at his sleazy nastiest), the CEO of a powerful advertising agency. Investigating him from every angle, Rowena takes on new identities both in real life and cyberspace, posing as a temp in his office and entering into a game of online cat-and-mouse in an attempt to bring her friend's killer to justice. Shot entirely in Manhattan, Perfect Stranger is the first movie to be filmed at Ground Zero (the site of the former New York World Trade Centre) since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. While that location isn't central to the plot, the edgy atmosphere of powerful individuals being above the law is heightened by the dramatic scenery. Plotwise, there's a couple of impressive twists in what is essentially a whodunit, with plenty of adrenaline-boosting sequences. Sadly Halle Berry's performance is more Catwoman than Monster's Ball, although Bruce Willis compensates in his baddie role, like the old pro he is. Directed by James Foley (Confidence, The Corrupter), and also starring Giovanni Ribisi, Richard Portnow and Gary Dourdan, you've probably seen several movies in the vein of Perfect Stranger before and some have been a lot worse.Read full review
Not since Rebecca DeMornay realized that she was stalking herself at the end of the laughable 'Never Talk to Strangers' (1995) has a "Babe in Jeopardy" film gone so wildly "off the rails" like 'Perfect Stranger'. More silly than suspenseful, this sleekly produced, high gloss piece isn't quite in the 'so-bad-it's-good' category of schlock films, but it comes close; thanks to a gonzo twist of an ending, which reduces everything that came before to uselessness. Director James Foley, who hasn't made a halfway decent film since 1992's 'Glengarry Glen Ross', continues his 15-year campaign for Razzie recognition with the resoundingly less-than-Perfect Stranger. The narrative traps Halle Berry in an overly convoluted murder mystery set against the backdrop of Internet Hookups and Chat Rooms. The preternaturally Gorgeous Academy Award Winner throws herself into the role of top-notch Investigative Reporter Rowena Price, who regularly dons aliases to write headline-generating exposés for the New York Courier. Furious when editors kill her biggest scoop to date, she quits in a snit, despite the whining pleas of her mopey, sallow-faced co-worker, Miles Haley (Giovanni Ribisi). But before she can kick back and enjoy some down time, her trampy childhood friend, Grace (Nicki Lynn Aycox), turns up dead in the East River. It seems Grace was carrying on a torrid, Internet-Driven Affair with the very powerful and very married advertising bigwig Harrison Hill (a smug Bruce Willis). Suspecting foul play, Rowena decides to go undercover, both online and at Hill's swank agency, to see if Hill murdered Grace, who was threatening to tell his wife about their affair. But as she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Grace's murder, Rowena discovers that Hill isn't the only one with a secret link to her childhood friend — or with a potential motive for killing her. Co-starring Clea Lewis as the quick-witted office gossip at Hill's agency, 'Perfect Stranger' has a smattering of juicy, melodramatic scenes that make for good, nasty fun, but these fleeting moments are no compensation for the sheer idiocy of Komarnicki's screenplay, or the ineptitude of Foley's direction. It's so awful, with a surfeit of nutty plot twists, bad cheese-drenched dialogue, and plot holes (not twists - HOLES) galore, that you wonder if Foley and Komarnicki intended 'Perfect Stranger' to be a parody or satirical comedy, because it generates next to nothing in the way of genuine suspense or intrigue. As for Ms. Berry, she's stunning to behold and tears into her role with relish, to the point of overacting in the film's would-be "big" dramatic scenes. It's not that she's patently unbelievable as a hard-driving, borderline ruthless investigative reporter, at least in the glossy context of Komarnicki's screenplay. But she's ultimately defeated by her ill-conceived role, as is everyone else stuck in the quagmire that is 'Perfect Stranger'. Willis has always been an entertaining watch as well. 'Die Hard' (now 4Pack), 'Lucky Number Slevin', 'Pulp Fiction', and many more Pulp Films that guarantee fun., this just isn't the role for him and he becomes just as big a victim of the sloppy mess that is 'Perfect Stranger'. Halle Berry & Bruce Willis get my pass for being rallied into this mess; as they have both shown so much more guaranteed success' prior to this; but Foley & Komarnicki should be ashamed of themselves. Very Much Miss This !!!! On Purpose !!!! Save Yourselves !!Read full review
Seriously Folks, the whole idea of making a movie is to somehow care and relate to the characters. Perfect Stranger fails to do either. I couldn't feel more disappointed about a good movie than this one. It had everything going for it, but failed to pass the litmus test on being smart and interesting. Instead, it just kind of laid down and died right after the text message mistake. I did learn about a new drink from this film. It sounds pretty good although I haven't a wish to try it anytime soon. It's called the "Hemingway Daiquiri". For the record, it is like a Daiquiri, but without sugar and with a splash of grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. Hope this has been helpful enough, yet I don't really want to try and explain the twists and turns that this movie takes you on. So watch it first and then you'll have something to talk about with your friends and family. I'll give this a 3/5 for great cinematography and great scenery. IF YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS, PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO LET ME KNOW BY VOTING. THANKS!Read full review
Wont be allowed to pick my movies..This film had us on the edge of our seats the entire time..What do you get when you mix a sex addict and a determined young Woman? A blend of suspense, jaw dropping twists and turns and a pure delight for any movie addict! This movie had me guessing left and right and of course for the first time ever I got it all wrong..I love that!! Bruce willis and Halle Berry were fantastic choices for this film..no one could have done it better!! I wont give anything away I don't want to spoil it for you..film begins with a young Woman (Halle Berry) a justice seeking reporter who just wants the truth to be revealed..angered because her big story has been pulled she meets up with a old Friend from her past..when her friend ends up in the river after being poisoned she tracks the leads to a powerful CEO who gets what he wants no matter the consequences..this movie is filled with twists and turns that will leave you reeling and asking "did you see that one coming?" I highly recommend this one!!Read full review
Just a good movie; Halle Berry, & Bruce Willis turn in excellent performances. Ms Berry is quite nice to look upon as a leading lady, and shines as an actress; Willis turns in his usual top quality leading man role.....
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