Perfect Stranger
Sony Pictures
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After seeing her potentially career-making U.S. Senator intern sex-scandal story washed away at the mysterious hands of the "old, white-male" establishment, intrepid New York Courier reporter Rowena Price's (Halle Berry) chance at redemption falls quickly into her lap. A reporter on a mission, Price will do anything for a story, even if it means bending the rules of the game. After learning of the death of childhood friend Grace (Nicky Lynn Aycox), and the murder's connection to high-powered ad-exec Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), Price goes undercover with the help of her right-hand man, IT guru Miles (Giovanni Ribisi), to work as a temp at Hill's agency and connect the dots behind Grace's murder. Hill's philandering past and penchant for beautiful women are matched by his wife's jealous ire, and Price's sexy mystique.

A front-runner during last year's Razzie Awards for Worst Picture and Worst Actress, Perfect Stranger is hardly a career pinnacle for Halle Berry, Bruce Willis, or seasoned director James Foley. However, as those familiar with Berry's "body" of work can attest -- none of this really matters, as her standing as one of the World's Hottest Women is (as usual) put to good use in Perfect Stranger.

Nudity and sex appeal aside, the film itself leaves something to be desired. Despite having a strong cast, expensive Hollywood backing, and veteran thriller-genre director James Foley, Perfect Stranger lives up to its name; a movie few audiences will get to know well. Surface characters for whom audiences can't relate, and plot lines that leave puzzling gaps in the twisted story line make Perfect Stranger an imperfect thriller.

Forced dialogue, awkward pacing and surprisingly vacant character development belie an otherwise intriguing story line -- gritty crime amidst the modern world of anonymous chat rooms. The story builds slowly (almost achingly so), and despite tense moments sprinkled throughout the movie, this "thriller" never really takes off.

Ribisi and Willis are, well, Ribisi and Willis -- character actors - same roles, different clothes. Quirky and intense, Ribisi offers the movie periodic respite from otherwise dull writing, and Willis (as usual) plays it cool and aloof with a steely veneer that seems to paint most of his major characters. Berry, for her part, attempts to infuse her "twisted, complex" character with hot-and-cold results. As is typical for Berry, studio execs behind this movie clearly got together and said, "We've got Berry, now how can we weave her body in as a character?" Cue obligatory Berry nudity, sexuality, and voluptuous innuendo (wait -- was that subtle enough?).

The movie falls flat on its suspenseful atmosphere, failing to deliver any truly thrilling sequences or jump out of your seat moments. That being said, the movie's twist and turns (while somewhat contrived nearing the films end) might be enough to keep casual Berry and Willis fans entertained on a cold, new-release deprived winter's night.

Video: How's it look?
1.33:1 Full screen offers a clear picture, and the film's direction is well-suited to this format. Picture is crisp, and framing is excellent.

Audio: How's it sound?
Dolby 5.1 surround offers a boost to the suspenseful nature of the movie without distracting (unfortunately) from the dialogue. French dubbed tracks are also included.

Extras: What additional goodies are included?

• Perfect Stranger offers a scant few extras, with a making-of, and (oddly enough) a roll of the previews seen before the film
• Virtual Lives: The Making of Perfect Stranger provides cast and crew commentary on the making of the movie. The featurette actually helps audiences understand and empathize with the story and the movies characters, and points out just how misguided the actual cinematic experience of Perfect Stranger is.

Closing Thoughts
With better pacing and better dialogue, Perfect Stranger could have been a truly thrilling (and enjoyable) movie. Fans of Berry and Willis will want to pick this up just to check it off their list, but for the rest of the world, this feature deprived DVD is one to skip.


Review brought to you by our friend Scott @ MonkeysAtWork.com