The Observer, March 30, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 22
Halle Berry shines at Cleveland premiere of Perfect Stranger
In spite of the generally depressing winter weather, last Thursday proved to be a truly glamorous night at Cinemark Valley View. Cleveland's best and brightest showed up to welcome back native Halle Berry as she stopped by on a nationwide promotional tour for her new film, thriller Perfect Stranger. The film, which stars hometown vixen Berry, along with box office powerhouse Bruce Willis and quirky Giovanni Ribisi, is about the investigation and story behind the murder of a woman, where everyone is a suspect and no one is who he seems. Sadly, the red-carpet premiere couldn't save the film, which was largely disappointing.
While her recent role choices might leave fans and critics with questions, Halle Berry is no stranger to success; the Bedford High School alum boasts a collection of awards and titles including Emmy, Golden Globe, Academy Award winner and former fashion model and beauty queen. In a traditional practice lost in the age of mass media and internet marketing, executives at Columbia Pictures decided to take the movie out to the people, traveling to cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and Dallas to create a nationwide buzz for Berry's latest film.
In a stunning tan dress that revealed not a single flaw in her forty-something-year-old body, Berry emphasized her love for Cleveland while answering questions for nearly an hour for media outlets. "When Columbia told us they wanted to take the movie out to the people, Cleveland was the first city I though of and was my first choice to go to. They weren't too sure about the idea, but I said I'm not going if we aren't going to Cleveland." The past couple of years have certainly been challenging for the actress. Besides a rocky divorce from second husband Eric Benet in 2005, Berry has faced growing criticism over her recent roles, both on and off screen. Yet Berry remains confident in her choices, saying "I just love vulnerable characters. What does that say about me? It certainly has been tough for me these past couple of years. But I am definitely more relaxed and happy to be making movies again." Both Berry and Ribisi emphasized that rejection happens in all stages of life, even when you are on top of the world as an Oscar winning actress.
Berry played the hometown card throughout the night, saying, "It's good to be home. No matter where I go, what cities I go to around the world, I love Cleveland. I can almost recognize the voices in a strange way." Cinemark Valley View certainly made the most of the event, as all major news stations crammed the lobby along with press, media, and hundreds of loyal fans from around the city, culminating into nearly 1000 bodies hoping to catch a glimpse of the star. Media members and screaming fans pushed on all sides of the red carpet hoping to touch, talk, or even see anyone with a big name. Celebrities, athletes, and public officials walked the red carpet, including Cleveland Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards, mayor Frank J. Jackson, and Miss Ohio (and Cleveland native) Melanie Murphy.
Ribisi seemed surprised at the warm reception, commenting, "I was born and raised in L.A. so I am kind of used to this, but I didn't expect this much love here in Cleveland." Berry also gave a huge shoutout to our very own Case Western Reserve University. When asked what she thought of Case Western, Berry said, "That's a pretty good school! I did not get to go there, but I would have loved to!"
In spite of all the ruckus and star power for the event, both Berry and Ribisi had to leave immediately after presenting the film to get on a plane to Dallas, the next stop on their nationwide tour to promote Perfect Stranger. However, publicity stunts and unlikely red carpet locales can only get a film so far. Perfect Stranger is a far from perfect film, but is exactly the kind of improbable, brainless thriller that some people love. If you want to see a gorgeous Halle Berry mixing it up in an erotic thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously, check out James Foley's Perfect Stranger when it comes out this April 13 in theatres everywhere.
