Halle Berry fronts up

The action movie Swordfish has everyonetalking for the wrong reasons. RUSSELL BAILLIE asks Halle Berry about her starring role.

She's got a knack for creating headlines has film star Halle Berry. This year it's been whether or not she scored an extra $US500,000 on top of her $2 million salary to go topless in the thriller Swordfish, having avoided nude scenes in a decade-long career.

Last year, it was her off-screen life that made her a tabloid star - she ran a red light on Los Angeles' Sunset Boulevard and her car collided with another. Both Berry and the other driver were injured, the star suffering a head injury that would eventually require 20 stitches.

Suffering from concussion and amnesia, she fled the scene and was charged with hit-and-run. She was fined and ordered to do 200 hours community service.

Her year got better when The X-Men, in which she played the weather-manipulating superhero Storm alongside Swordfish co-star Jackman, became a certified hit.

In her second action movie, the former Miss Teenage America and Revlon model plays Ginger, the sultry sidekick to John Travolta's superspy-cum-terrorist whose fiendish plans involve (warning: plot giveaway ahead) making human bombs out of bank robbery hostages and using a bus for a helicopter-hoist getaway.

Jackman plays the unhappy hacker that Ginger lures into the computer caper. She flashes him while sunbathing. Actually, Berry doesn't wear much for the rest of the movie. And in one grim scene she gets hanged by the neck - or does she?

While it opened big, Swordfish is no runaway hit.

But being the good Hollywood trooper she is, Berry is still out selling, still talking about ... well, the movie's only talking point really (Apart from Travolta's continuing bad box office run).

I talk to her on the phone at home in Los Angeles and wonder just how to politely bring up that supposed pay and display?

Would you go see Swordfish if you weren't in it?

Yeah, I would. I like John Travolta and I really like Hugh Jackman, so I think I would.

There is, of course, one question you are always going to get asked about this film ...

How did I like hanging? I love that hanging scene. I've never been hung before.

No, the other question.

Oh, the other question.

Yes.

The boobs.

Yes.

What do you want to know about it?

Er, do you find it odd that it became a talking point in a movie where people get wrapped up in explosives and blown up?

Not at all. I was hoping that would happen. You see I competed with those explosions anyway. In my own way. I knew that would happen. I didn't think it would be to this degree - women have been nude in movies since the beginning and I never thought it would be this talked about. But it was a bold choice and a bold thing to do and, sure, I knew it would be talked about. I was okay with that.

Was the story put out there just to create a bit of interest?

That's exactly why it was put there. You are the first journalist to really get that. It's totally not true about the boobs and the money. It's been put out there and it's been a great device to get the people to talk about the movie, so it's been great.

Seriously?

Seriously. I don't think it was why it was put out. But the fact that is has been put out has really served our movie really well and the fact that I can laugh at it and I know what is true. The fact is that Joel [Silver, producer] didn't have enough money to pay for my boobs if that is what I was charging for. I know that to be true so I have been able to laugh at it and think "hey, if it helps the movie, then that helps me" and I'm not a fool at the end of the day.

That particular scene looked very similar to one in The Thomas Crown Affair.

Yeah, I felt that when I was doing it. If Rene Russo can do this ... I surely can.

So why do it?

It was time for me in my career I felt to go there, I am feeling more comfortable with my own sexuality and the confidence of some of the awards I've won in the last couple of years. I feel like I don't have to prove myself so much any more as an actor. I feel like I am maturing and that was really the next step for me to do more adult things - explore that sexy side of myself which I haven't done on film.

Is it true you turned down the Sandra Bullock role in Speed?

Yes.

Which is funny because you didn't catch the flying bus in Swordfish either.

I was kind of happy I wasn't on this bus. When I knew what this bus ride was doing I was happy I wasn't on this bus. I wasn't so happy that I wasn't on the Speed bus.

Talking of taking public transport, how is your driving these days?

My driving is impeccable.

I imagine it would have to be now, wouldn't it?

Well, it was before but that is beside the point.

You're in a very well paid line of work. What is the most extravagant thing you've done with the money?

I bought my mother her dream house beside the lake in Cleveland.

Is it true she named you after a department store?

Yes, in Cleveland called Halle Brothers.

Does that mean you can shop without guilt?

Well, the store is defunct now. No. But that's funny.

You're doing another X-Men. What was the first one like?

Yes. I never worked on a movie where I stood around doing nothing for so many hours a day. But I enjoyed all the people and all the hoopla that went along with it. Making that movie was a lot of fun because it meant so much to so many people. I hope the second one works in the same kind of way.

Swordfish is full of cyber-wizardry. Are you any good on a computer?

I am. I have my own website. It's called Hallewood.com and I'm very active on that. While I don't try to go hacking into anybody's business I can navigate my way around pretty well.

So give us your own review of Swordfish.

Well, it's very sexy, it's very groovy. It's shot in a very modern way and you have the usual explosions.You get to see some action sequences that you have never seen and it also has a story, it's very cerebral. It's got lots of twists and turns and something for the thinking person as well as the visual person who just likes good old action. And it's got my boobs.