Five Times Halle Berry Broke Our Hearts On Film
As Halle Berry celebrates her 57th birthday, we look back at some of the most poignant moments in her film and television career. Halle Berry has the incredible ability to convey profound emotions, leaving us captivated and often in tears. She has consistently delivered on screen from complex characters to emotionally charged narratives. Here are five times Halle Berry broke our hearts on film, revealing her ability to capture the raw essence of human emotion.
Jungle Fever (1991)
In Spike Lee's provocative drama "Jungle Fever," about the trials of an interracial relationship, Halle Berry portrays Vivian, a young woman addicted to drugs. Appearing alongside Samuel L. Jackson, it was a chilling performance that showed the horrors of addiction. "Jungle Fever” was a small role for Berry and her breakout role.
Losing Isaiah (1995)
In this emotional drama, Halle Berry plays Khaila, a recovering drug addict who fights to regain custody of her son Isaiah who a white family adopted. As the legal battle unfolds, Berry's portrayal of a mother struggling with addiction and seeking redemption is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Going head-to-head with Oscar winner Jessica Lange (she also reunites with Samuel L. Jackson), her performance earned her a third NAACP Image Award nomination. Grab a tissue and watch one of the most famous scenes above.
Monster's Ball (2001)
"Monster's Ball" features Halle Berry as Leticia, a grieving mother grappling with loss, poverty, and racial tensions in the American South. The film also included Diddy and Mos Def. Berry's performance is a tour de force, revealing the depths of sorrow and pain that Leticia experiences. While the role was controversial for its explicit sex scenes, through her portrayal, we witness the resilience of the human spirit in the face of immense suffering, leaving our hearts shattered. In 2002, Berry became the first and only Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Things We Lost in the Fire (2007)
In this subtle but powerful drama, Halle Berry is Audrey, a widow dealing with the sudden loss of her husband. As she forms an unexpected bond with her husband's troubled best friend, portrayed by Benicio del Toro, Audrey's journey of grief, forgiveness, and healing is unforgettable. While the movie was not a box office smash, Berry is pitch-perfect giving the audience a journey of how to survive amidst unimaginable loss.
Frankie and Alice (2010)
"Frankie and Alice" sees Halle Berry as Frankie, a woman battling dissociative identity disorder (DID). Berry walks the fragile line between sanity and chaos as she brings to life the various personalities within Frankie. Her depiction of a woman struggling with her own mind elicits empathy, shedding light on the challenges of mental health and the search for identity. The performance earned Berry her sixth NAACP Image Award.
Thanks to Halle Berry for giving us decades of timeless performances. Happy birthday, queen!
