Catwoman (released on July 23, 2004) pounces onto the screen as a stylish, hyper-frenetic 2004 action spectacle that offers a completely reimagined origin story for the iconic comic book vigilante. Directed by French visual artist Pitof, the plot follows Patience Phillips (Halle Berry), a shy, pushover graphic designer working for Hedare Beauty, a massive cosmetics empire.
While delivering artwork late at night, Patience accidentally overhears a sinister corporate secret: the company’s revolutionary new anti-aging cream, Beau-line, causes horrible facial disfigurement if discontinued.
Discovered by guards, she is flushed down a wastewater pipe and drowns.
However, she washes ashore and is magically resurrected by a mystical Midnight Mau cat, gaining feline agility, heightened senses, and reflexes.
Reborn with a fierce, confident alter ego, Patience crafts a leather suit and sets out as Catwoman to unravel the corporate conspiracy.
She crosses paths with Ophelia Powers (Frances Conroy), an eccentric researcher who explains her supernatural destiny.
Along the way, Patience strikes up a romance with Tom Lone (Benjamin Bratt), a handsome LAPD detective investigating Catwoman’s night-time vigilante activities.
The mystery leads back to the corrupt CEO George Hedare (Lambert Wilson) and his ruthless, cold-hearted wife, Laurel Hedare (Sharon Stone).
When Laurel frames Catwoman for murder and reveals that she has been secretly poisoning users with the toxic cream, Patience must embrace her newfound power to clear her name, stop the product launch, and defeat Laurel in a high-stakes duel.
Halle Berry in Catwoman (Photo/Warner Bros.)
Reception for Catwoman
Catwoman grossed $16.7 million on its opening weekend, finishing third at the box office behind The Bourne Supremacy ($52.5 million) and I, Robot ($21.7 million).
The film would gross $82.4 million worldwide.
Roger Ebert gave Catwoman one out of four stars in his review.
The film it also received seven Golden Raspberry Award nominations, winning Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actress (Berry), and Worst Screenplay. Berry accepted her Golden Raspberry Award in person while holding her Oscar that shed won for Monster’s Ball.
Legacy
Catwoman‘s legacy is uniquely fascinating, holding an unforgettable place in 2000s pop culture and comic book movie history.
While heavily panned by critics upon its release for its radical departures from Batman lore and its chaotic MTV-style editing, the feature has achieved a massive camp cult following over the decades.
Stone’s deliciously theatrical villain turn as a cosmetics mogul remains a fan favorite.
Catwoman endures as an entertaining 2000s time capsule, remembered for its bold aesthetic choices, memorable leather costume design, and unapologetic camp energy.
