Halle Berry is embracing the 20th anniversary of her much-maligned 2004 film Catwoman with unexpected grace and humor. Despite its poor reviews and disappointing box office performance, Berry remains proud of the film and its evolving legacy.
On a recent appearance on The Tonight Show, Berry addressed the film’s harsh critiques, which branded it as a critical failure. “I loved it,” Berry told Jimmy Fallon. “It got panned. You know, the critics said it sucked balls. That’s not that bad; I’ve gotten worse reviews — and balls aren’t that bad.”
The film, directed by Jean-Cristophe Pitof, received scathing reviews upon its release. Critics criticized its cartoonish portrayal of the iconic character and its disjointed narrative. Wall Street Journal critic Joe Morgenstern described it as “a very poor effort,” noting its lack of coherent scenes and character development.
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Despite the negative reception, Berry has a different take on the film’s legacy. She accepted her Razzie Award for “Worst Actress” in person, becoming one of the most high-profile celebrities to do so. Recently, she marked the film’s anniversary with a unique celebration, posing topless with cats to commemorate the occasion.
Berry has noticed a resurgence of interest in Catwoman, particularly among younger audiences who are discovering it on the internet. “What I’m happy about is that the children have found it now on the internet, and they love it,” Berry explained. “So it’s so vindicating. Because now they’re saying it’s cool and what the heck was everybody’s problem with it, so I’m like, ‘I’m so brat now.’”
Her positive outlook has even led Fallon to nickname her “Bratwoman,” in reference to Charli XCX’s album Brat. Despite its low average review score of 8% and a plot centered on an anti-aging skin cream, Berry sees the film’s newfound appreciation as a victory.
Berry also expressed openness to revisiting her role in the future, but with a twist. “If I could direct it,” she stated, hinting at a potential new take on the character.
In conclusion, while Catwoman may have struggled to impress critics and audiences alike two decades ago, Halle Berry’s response to the film’s legacy highlights her enduring confidence and pride in her work.
