Halle Berry initially objected to having to bare all in “Swordfish.” She felt the scene was unnecessary, but her protests fell on deaf ears, forcing her to turn a negative into a positive. Ultimately, the “Swordfish” nude scene prepared Berry for “Monster’s Ball,” a movie that features a very explicit scene between her and co-star Billy Bob Thornton. “Monster’s Ball” also saw Berry win an Academy Award for best actress, with many critics praising her performance.
Despite her initial reluctance to go topless in “Swordfish,” Berry believes the experiment paid off. “I knew it was gratuitous. I never made excuses for it. But had I not shed my inhibitions in ‘Swordfish,’ I would have been afraid to tackle a love scene like this in ‘Monster’s Ball,'” she told CNN. “That’s a tribute to listening to your gut and doing what you think is right for you and not getting caught up in what other people think about the choices you make.”
“Swordfish” certainly isn’t the most acclaimed movie in Berry’s oeuvre, but it appears to have marked a turning point in her career. Berry has since gone on to impress in other movie and TV roles, too, which is a testament to her longevity and versatility as a performer.
