25 Years Later, This 'Landman' Star's Psychological Drama Remains Perfect From Start to Finish

This Southern Gothic by Marc Forster focuses on the Grotowski family, who are crippled by their inherited racism. It's almost too perfect that Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Monster's Ball. Up until the film's release in 2001, a Black woman had never won the Oscar for Best Actress. In her acceptance speech, Berry proclaimed through tears, "This moment is so much bigger than me... Because this door, tonight, has been opened." As emotional and heartfelt as that message was Halle Berry is still the only Black woman to win the prestigious award. In rewatching this film, audiences need to realize that the subject matter is just as relevant now as it was back then.