Halle Berry names her favorite movies of all time

(Credits: Far Out / YouTube still)

Wednesday 16 October 2024, 9:45 pm, UK

Halle Berry became known for her eclectic filmography, working on a series of projects that showed her as a tenacious and committed actress. After starting out as a model, Berry eventually made her way into film and television, with her first role in Living Dolls in 1989. From there, she worked with Spike Lee on Jungle Feverwhich sparked her first foray into method acting as she stayed in character on and off set. Berry has also collaborated with Matthew Vaughn and Marc Foster, becoming the black woman to win the ‘Best Actress’ Oscar for her role as Leticia Musgrove in Monster Ball.

Given the variety of performances she has delivered, from horror films to action films to dramas, it’s no surprise that Berry has a similar taste in cinema that has inspired her as an actress.

Berry Listed Mike Nichol’s Iconic 1967 The graduate as one of his all-time favorites. Widely praised as being one of the most influential films ever made The graduate is an ode to the uncertainty of growing up and the suffocation of high society in the suburbs. The film has a delicate layer of nihilism as Benjamin explores the possibilities and constraints of his future, ultimately trapped by his parents’ expectations and the fact that his life doesn’t really belong to him. It’s a wonderful feat of cinema that has remained timeless in its observations about freedom and growth, with perhaps one of the best endings of all time.

The 1989 film adaptation of Steel Magnolias is another of Berry’s favorites, with a stellar cast that includes Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Julia Roberts and Sally Fields. The story is based on the play of the same name written by Robert Harling, detailing the lives and tragedies of a group of women living in Louisiana, meeting every day in a beauty salon as they bond over femininity and motherhood. . It’s one of those unique films where you watch great actors both at the beginning and at the height of their careers, one of Julia Roberts’ first roles and one of Sally Fields’ most celebrated performances, both toeing the line between melodrama and comedy. and create a multifaceted portrait of small-town life and the struggles of ordinary people.

In stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of Steel MagnoliasBerry Listed Jordan Peele’s Masterpiece To go out as one of your favorites. Peele revitalized the horror genre with the story of Chris, a photographer who meets his girlfriend’s family for the first time, becoming a commentary on racism, white supremacy and the delusional lack of self-awareness that accompanies privilege. The film was revolutionary, with countless details and hidden layers in the script that earned it the Oscar for ‘Best Original Screenplay’. It’s a truly perfect film that has only grown in relevance over time, which is a testament to Peele’s genius.

And finally, Berry listed The Shining as one of his most beloved films. The film is perhaps one of Stanley Kubrick’s most iconic works, with surprising performances from Shelley Duvall and Jack Nicholson as an isolated couple living in a hotel during the winter. The innovative camerawork and unsettling mood influenced years of horror films, with countless filmmakers being inspired by the director’s innovative ideas and meticulous eye for detail.

Berry drew parallels between The Shining and his recent film Never let gosaying that she was perhaps drawn to the project due to its similarities to The Shining, both exploring religion, generational trauma and spirituality within language or horror. Never let go it’s now showing in cinemas, with Berry praising the originality of the script, saying that ‘she’d never seen anything like it before’.