Woe to those who put the word "perfect" into the title of their movie. And you'd think that movie vets like Academy Award-winner Halle Berry and a pro like Bruce Willis would know that.
But, they don't - and that's how they ended up starring in the not-so-perfect "Perfect Stranger.
"
And, while I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to be able to easily figure out what's going on in a movie like this, I think you're supposed to have a shot at it.
And, I'm still not exactly sure about everything, even though "Perfect Stranger" actually updates you occasionally on what's happening - as if the film already knows it's not making sense.
Berry plays investigative journalist Rowena Price.
I use the word journalist with a great deal of hesitation because this reporter for a New York City newspaper wouldn't know a real journalist if she tripped and fell over him.
Price thinks investigative journalism involves lying about who she really is and entrapping people into scandalous stories. And, if her editors spike one of her outrageously unethical pieces, she claims it's sexism.
So, are we to be surprised when Price decides to use her sex to figure out who killed her old friend Grace (Nicki Aycox)?
Now, how would Price know where to start, since Grace is a friend from way back in childhood?
Well, an overly convenient chance encounter, of course, one where Grace just can't wait to spill her guts about the affair she's having with a guy she met over the Internet who just happens to be one of the most powerful ad executives in town.
That would be Harrison Hill (Willis). Let's see, how do I explain Willis's performance here? Well, he's a playing a dog - and he's loving every minute of it.
Of course, Price immediately suspects Hill as Grace's murderer and goes undercover to expose him.
First, with the help of her kinda weird, computer savvy newspaper colleague Miles (Giovanni Ribisi), Price gets hired on as a temp in Hill's ad agency and makes sure the big boss can't help but notice her.
While Hill is putting the moves on Price in the office, she's also getting him to put the moves on her online, where she's posing as yet another, different woman.
This leads to that always exciting movie experience - watching people type text messages on their computer screens. Remember "You've Got Mail?" Well, watching people text real sexy to each other doesn't make it any more interesting.
Who's who and doing what to whom and why? Let me be perfectly honest about "Perfect Stranger." I was so tired of these people by the end I just didn't really care.
Halle Barry and Bruce Willis are big stars. I also assume they can read. Unless something very mysterious happened during filmmaking and editing, it's hard for me to believe these two didn't realize "Perfect Stranger" wasn't going to work perfectly.
1 hour, 49 minutes
R - Sexual content, nudity, language, violent images
Craig Kopp can be seen on Fox19. Drop him a note at life@communitypress.com.
News RSS