Decemeber 8, 2021
Page 7
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
Halle Berry is on the comeback trail as a mixed martial arts fighter and protective
mother in “Bruised,” a movie that she also makes her debut as the film’s director.
Actress Turns to Directing
Halle Berry shows
multiple talents
By Dwight Brown
After the American Black Film Festival
named actress-turned-director Halle Ber-
ry its official ambassador this year, Berry
proudly showcased her directorial debut in
“Bruised.”
Berry plays Ultimate Fighting Champi-
onship legend Jackie Justice as the former
New Jersey mixed martial arts fighter and
protective mother embarks on a comeback.
It’s a lot of challenges for the character to
digest and a lot of plot devices for an au-
dience to believe. Yet that’s what’s on the
pages of the cliché script (Michelle Rosen-
farb) that Berry uses as a blueprint.
It’s like Berry’s skills behind the cam-
era are a work in progress. In front of
the lens, she is a virtuoso. No noticeable
makeup, glamor or her trademark sexiness.
She looks her age (55), and her face ap-
pears as weathered as that of any pugilist
who wears her profession’s bruises and
scars with pride. She gets angry, sad, lost
and loving—always playing the emotions
deep. Her best acting is reserved for the
ring. Body blows, punches and chokes
holds—she makes it look like Justice is
fighting for her life.
Says Jackie to Buddy. “I have to figure
my life out… I have to do it on my own.”
Similarly, Berry seems very motivated to
pursue her goals as a director and shows
great promise. She’s got it. Netflix audi-
ences will be impressed.
Dwight Brown is a film critic for the Na-
tional Newspaper Publishers Association,
the Black Press USA.
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Embracing a World of Joy
Holiday show for
Young and Old Alike
A show for young and old alike,
Portland’s musical theater company
Stumptown Stages presents A Carol
for Christmas, a new musical inspired
by Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story
and set in the Midwest during Ameri-
ca’s 1930’s Depression Era.
The play’s themes of greed, bigotry,
contempt and apathy ring true today as
they did then.
A Carol for Christmas shows each of
us, what, when embraced, a world of joy,
friendship and giving might do for the
greater good. The original score written
by Janet Mouser and James Campodon-
ico is filled with new holiday songs that
celebrate the season.
Now showing through Sunday, Dec.
19 at Portland’5 Winningstad Theater,
downtown. To purchase tickets, visit
stumptownstages.org or call the box of-
fice at 1-800-915-4698.