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Perfect Stranger [2007]
![Perfect Stranger [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518nzgVo9WL._SL160_.jpg)
In Perfect Stranger, ace New York Courier reporter Rowena Price (Halle Berry) will do anything to get her story---even if it verges on the unethical. After her plans to out a US senator's homosexual relationship with an intern are thwarted, Price's next chance at a big scoop falls right into her lap. When her friend Grace (Nicky Lynn Aycox) is found murdered, the main suspect is revealed to be Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), a philandering high-powered advertising exec with a very jealous wife. With some help from her right-hand tech guru, Miles (Giovanni Ribisi), Rowena goes undercover as a temp at Hill's agency, where her own good looks are bound to draw Hill closer to her, taking her to the facts behind Grace's murder. No simple plot description can truly explain James Foley's (At Close Range) twisty, techy thriller. It begins with a false set-up, takes a whole other route, and makes a series of bizarre 11th hour revelations that not even the most seasoned viewer would predict. The always watchable Berry makes us root for a character whose methods aren't always the most scrupulous, and Giovanni Ribisi does a lot with the 'sidekick' role. Anastas Michos's cinematography gives Manhattan a slightly sinister glow of cool blue, appropriate to this tale in which nothing is what it seems, and trusting in someone is sure to cause regret---or worse. Perfect Stranger may occasionally defy logic, but that is not likely to deter those hungering for a handsomely made, star-fuelled studio film with plenty of surprises.
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.62 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk
Embarrassingly bad
Review date: 2008-06-16 Rating: 2 out of 10
Perfect Stranger is a shockingly poor thriller made in a similar vein to films like Basic Instinct and Disclosure. It is supposed to be an erotic thriller, but fails on both levels. The "erotic" scenes are naff and fail to shock, and as a thriller it is let down by a really poor script.
The cast is A list (Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, Giovani Ribisi) but with such cheesy lines to deliver they all end up looking like poor B movie actors.
On the plus side the film looks good. There's no stupid camera angles and the running time is under 2 hours, but the script is so poor and the shock twist at the end is just plain daft and an insult to the viewer. I get the feeling that when the idea was pitched to the film studio it would have sounded pretty good, the twist at the end being the main selling point. But, having commissioned the movie, the studio then paid someone a bag of peanuts to write the script. This is one of those annoying thrillers with absolutely no subtlety whatsoever. Characters consistently act "suspiciously" and have "dirty secrets" that are designed in a ham fisted way to convince the viewer that they might be the killer. It's because of this that the twist at the end feels so insulting instead of jaw droppingly clever which it could have been. I can imagine Willis, Berry and Ribisi watching the movie and thinking "This isn't what I signed up for". But they won't feel half as cheated as the public who paid to watch it. Very disappointing. And boring too.
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Reviews
Decent plot with a nice twist
Review date: 2008-04-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
I don't want to spoil anyone's enjoyment so I won't divulge much of the plot except to say that the final 15 minutes makes a slow build up worth sitting through.
However, the acting from Halle Berry & Bruce Willis is well below par & the film would probably have benefitted from actors with more depth & range to their talent; having said that, Giovanni Ribisi's performance is good so all was not lost.
So, if you're looking for a film to pass a couple of hours then this may do the trick but if you'd like something deeper, choose something else.
Far from perfect
Review date: 2008-03-01 Rating: 2 out of 10
A slow moving and boring film with the contrived and unbelievable plot typical of so many of these third rate Hollywood so-called "thrillers". To wake up the audience in case interest flags (as it inevitably will) there are numerous shots of Berry in ridiculously tight clothes. As in many of these films the dialogue is practically unintelligible. Giovanni Ribisi is usually an excellent actor but not in this film - his whining and often incomprehensible voice are extremely irritating. I did quite like the external photography and the colours and lighting of the buildings otherwise this film was a waste of time and rental fee - I should have watched that Poirot repeat instead.
Worth a watch
Review date: 2008-01-17 Rating: 6 out of 10
The film starts off at a good pace and definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat in some parts. I felt that the film was wrapped up too fast though - as if they had suddenly run out of story line. Good twists however, and worth a watch.
Terrifying cat and mouse game with an amazing twist
Review date: 2008-01-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
I almost didn't watch this movie due to the bad reviews here on Amazon. I'm so glad I did watch it.
This movie is about an investigative reporter, played by Berry, and high profile advertising executive, played by Willis. The plot is very well paced with no lagging moments and was seamlessly acted by the cast.
This is not the usual, predictable woman in jeopardy type movie. Predictability would have made it a complete yawn fest. Instead, the plot takes off relentlessly and culminates in a twist that will blow your mind. Also, there is more than one secret being kept. I can't say more as it might ruin the experience for future viewers.
Grab yourself a copy of this brilliant thriller.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Bruce Willis
Patti D'Arbanville
Giovanni Ribisi
Halle Berry
Gary Dourdan
Creators:
Halle Berry (Primary Contributor)
Bruce Willis (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822500235
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-10
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 104 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2007
Language: English (Original Language)