Actor/Director Halle Berry Plays UFC Fighter
There is no doubt that actress Halle Berry is a real knockout. The talented beauty and Oscar winner has been a favorite of movie fans for years.
But her new film “BRUISED” may take some viewers by surprise as it’s Berry who’s delivering the knockout punches on screen as a mixed martial artist named Jackie Justice who is struggling to make a comeback both in and out of the Octagon. While it’s hard for some to picture the gorgeous and glamorous icon as a rough and tough UFC fighter, trust me she pulls it off and leaves no doubt of her tenacity, grit and willingness to take a punch (onscreen, of course)!
I had a chance to see the movie at an advanced screening held Sunday in the Silver Screen Theater inside the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. This private sneak peek was in association with In Creative Company and also featured a Q&A session with Halle, herself, there in person.
Also in attendance were some members of the fight community including filmmaker and boxing trainer Jill Morley (“Fight Like a Girl,” “Squirrel Wars”), boxing coach and sculptor Steve Harpst, Punch Gunk’s Cameron McIntire, fighter Nadene McIntire, former MMA fighter Anita Hoehenleiter and dancer Gary Lai.
“BRUISED” punches its way into theaters November 17 and streams on Netflix November 24. This new movie is full of action! I loved seeing all the gym scenes, the outdoor training vignettes and the main event with Halle going strike for strike versus nemesis Lady Killer (played by UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko). Yes, it is another “Road to Redemption” story BUT this plot (including a young son she gave up as an infant) has LOTS of twists and turns along the way that will have you bobbing and weaving. It’s definitely worth a watch.
The invited guests also said they enjoyed watching the multi-talented Berry both act in AND direct the drama. It is her first foray into the world of directing and she scores a one-two punch alongside ‘BRUISED” screenwriter Michelle Rosenfarb.
Jill Morley is an associate of Rosenfarb’s and was really looking forward to seeing this film.
“I think it’s done really well,” Morley commented after watching the movie.
“The goal is to not only make the film a ‘fight movie’ but one that deserves critical acclaim,” she says, “and ‘BRUISED’ got it right! Kudos to Halle Berry and Michelle Rosenfarb.”
The post-screening Q&A was moderated by Jenelle Riley (Variety) and featured an entertaining chat with the multi-talented Berry. She spoke of how Blake Lively was originally supposed to play Jackie Justice, what led her to direct the film and what it was like training in combat sports (boxing, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, judo, Taekwondo, etc.). And it really was a true labor of love both acting and directing this new film who put her own blood, sweat and tears into this cinematic effort.
While watching “BRUISED,” I found Berry to be very convincing as a down-and-out disgraced fighter who has to pull herself up after reaching rock bottom. She whittles her body down to portray a legit fighter complete with muscles, black eyes and scars. It’s a raw, gritty performance by the beloved superstar known for her popular roles as Catwoman, Storm (“X-Men”), and as a James Bond Girl in Jinx Johnson, and Berry really pulls it off as an ex-UFC fighter being drawn back onto the canvas and into the cage.
She plays a woman who has to, once again, rise from the ashes while fighting her own personal demons. Does she get her own “Rocky Balboa” moment? Viewers will have to find out when they watch “BRUISED.”
Burbank Boxing Club founder/trainer Steve Harpst gives the film two fists up.
“The fight scenes are very realistic,” he says, “and Halle has a great fighting spirit. She puts a lot of heart in her character and it shows on screen.”
Check out Halle Berry’s directorial debut and her KO scenes as an MMA fighter in “BRUISED”!
‘BRUISED” Synopsis/Runtime 131 minutes
Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) is a mixed martial arts fighter who leaves the sport in disgrace. Down on her luck and simmering with rage and regret years after her fight, she’s coaxed into a brutal underground fight by her manager and boyfriend Desi (Adan Canto) and grabs the attention of a fight league promoter (Shamier Anderson) who promises Jackie a life back in the octagon. But the road to redemption becomes unexpectedly personal when Manny (Danny Boyd, Jr.) — the son she gave up as an infant — shows up at her doorstep. BRUISED marks the directorial debut of Academy Award winner Halle Berry and also stars Sheila Atim, Adriane Lenox, Valentina Shevchenko, and Stephen McKinley Henderson in a triumphant story of a fighter who reclaims her power, in and out of the ring, when everyone has counted her out.
More with Jill Morley here.
Photos by Michele Chong