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April 12, 2007

Movie Review

Don’t Be Afraid to Meet this Stranger

Perfect Stranger will, just like most actual strangers, surprise you.

Story by: Anthony Williams

The Shorthorn Scene editor

Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Bruce Willis goes dramatic, portraying a slick advertising agent in Perfect Stranger.

Perfect Stranger will, just like most actual strangers, surprise you.

Possibly more by the fact that it’s better than you think it will be than by its plot, but it’s surprising still.

Given the star power seen here with Halle Berry, Bruce Willis and Giovanni Ribisi, one may fear that the stars are all the movie has going for it. But it actually has more, and the little information the previews and television ads give make for much more of a thrilling ride.

It’s been compared to the films by Alfred Hitchcock, and it does go there, but Stranger can also be described as a really good, extended episode of “The Twilight Zone.” It’s also similar to “The Simpsons,” in how the story begins in one place before leading a wild path to its ending.

None of this is meant to overindulge — Stranger isn’t all that and a bag of chips. Bottom line, it makes for a good movie that will capture the audience’s attention and have them talking afterwards.

There are moments filled with tension and moments for gasping. The film doesn’t pander too much. It goes where you predict it will in certain arcs, which isn’t always a bad thing. Some movies can become soap-operatic by teasing too much, and by the third or so musical build-up of suspense, they’ve lost you.

Revolution Studios Distribution Company, LLC

Halle Berry and Bruce Willis break the ice in their new thriller Perfect Stranger.

The captivating Berry chalks up another great performance, as does Willis in his more-dramatic-than-usual role. At first, you’ll think back to his past action-hero characters, and even his real-life persona, but that doesn’t last too long.

It’s Berry and Ribisi, though, who have the honest chemistry. The dialogue between these two gets a bit frank, but their friendship seems genuine. Willis and Berry’s relationship is less believable.

Speaking of the dialogue, it is very sexual. Some of the onscreen instant-message conversations remind you of Closer, but it doesn’t throw you off or take you aback.

Perfect Stranger is a nice throwback to the older days of suspense, when films’ main weapons weren’t blood and gore. There is some here, but it’s not Saw, so don’t expect that and leave disappointed.

If gripping suspense-thrillers make your day, have no apprehension in seeing Stranger.