My main problem with Perfect Stranger is the slow, methodical pace at which it is told. There are far too many scenes where Rowena is sitting in front of a computer participating in some of the most boring sex talk I've ever seen. These scenes are meant to spotlight Hill's infidelity and unmask the underground culture, but instead it drags the movie to a near standstill. And while everyone in the civilized world is aware of Berry's sexiness, I found the moments of her getting dressed (bare back and leg shots) forced and — dare I say — unneeded (it hurt like hell to say that). It was almost as if the director (James Foley) felt the movie wouldn't stand on its own merits and he needed to add a few gratuitous flesh shots. I'm a firm believer, if you're going to show it — show it. Navel shots aren't intriguing, they're frustrating, especially when they don't add any flavor to the stew.
As for the final verdict, Perfect Stranger isn't as bad as it could have been or as good as it should have been. There are many developments throughout the movie that are rather easy to deduce. Luckily, the final plot twist provides an unexpected, albeit far-fetched, finale that makes up for the rest of the humdrum. With the plethora of thrillers already in theaters and scheduled for release this year, Perfect Stranger is an easy movie to skip, unless the draw of Bruce Willis or Halle Berry is too strong to resist. And if that is the case, what I say doesn’t matter to you one little bit.
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