Halle Berry discusses the surprising movie that “was really important to me”
Halle Berry is a name synonymous with Hollywood royalty. An accomplished actor and a true icon in the industry, she has made a significant mark in the world of cinema. Berry’s acting career took off when she was cast in the television series Living Dolls in 1989, but her true breakthrough came with the 1992 film Boomerang, where she starred alongside Eddie Murphy. Thereafter, her acting prowess began to capture the industry’s attention.
Berry made history in 2001 when she starred in Monster’s Ball, a role that would earn her the Academy Award for ‘Best Actress’, making her the first Black woman to win an Oscar in that category. This milestone represented a significant moment for both Berry and the entertainment industry, reflecting the barriers she had broken through and the doors she had opened for others.
When discussing films that have had a significant impact on her, Berry points to one project in particular that left a lasting impression, following her involvement in The Flintstones as Miss Sharon Stone: “This film was really important to me because to be a Black woman and to be the object of everyone’s desire in this movie is such a coup.“
She added: “The fact that these executives at the studio, who are all white males, took the risk to have a Black woman as this character says a lot as to where we’re going. No, we don’t want to be just sex objects or be just beautiful. But the level of consciousness is being raised, and that’s important to me. We’re starting to be seen a little differently.“
Although The Flintstones has a special place in her heart, Berry also names the one musical that was “a great escape” to her as a child. She previously discussed the loneliness she experienced when she was young and how watching a 1965 musical drama provided a source of comfort. “I was raised by a single mom, and I was home alone a lot,” Berry said. “Which is probably why I watched The Sound of Music so many times — it was a great escape.”
“I think most people enjoy movies because they get to escape, but I always felt like I didn’t see myself and the stories that I knew to be true reflected,” she added. “There was always a disconnect because I was longing to see my life and connect to it that way.”
Reminiscing on her particular memories of the film, Berry continued: “As a small girl, I remember one of the movies I used to watch over and over and over was The Sound of Music — probably because it was on public television. It seemed like it was on every weekend, and I just have a fond childhood memory of it that I haven’t been able to shake.”
