'Frankie & Alice' Will Be Worth the Wait

Is a film still worthy of a wide release three and a half years after receiving a limited debut? If it features Halle Berry taking on the role of a real-life, 1970s exotic dancer grappling with an extremely unique personality disorder, then the answer is yes. Frankie & Alice may be considered an old movie, but with mental illness as its main focus, the film that earned Berry her fourth Golden Globe nomination still deserves the full treatment.

The film's 2010 small-scale debut took place just to ensure Berry would meet the criteria to be considered for that year's awards season, but its upcoming release doesn't detract from the fact that it showcases a timeless, captivating story line. After experiencing a series of inexplicable "blackouts," the main character Frankie Murdoch (played by Berry) comes face to face with the result of untreated childhood trauma while under the care of the persistent and intrigued psychotherapist Oz (played by Stellan Skarsgård), who subsequently unearths the presence of two alter egos: a 7-year-old named Genius, and a racist, Southern woman named Alice whose nasty disposition constantly lands Murdoch in a whirlwind of trouble.

Obviously since 2010 Halle Berry has moved on to other projects like helping Jennifer Garner support an anti-papparazzi bill, developing a mini-series for The History Channel, plus she recently began filming for a new Spielberg-produced TV series. However, she is still very supportive of the release of Frankie & Alice. In a statement to Yahoo! Movies, she said:

"'Frankie & Alice' is an emotionally compelling film that I cannot wait for audiences to finally see. I am extremely proud of the film because it focuses on the very real issues of mental illness, and it is my wish that Frankie Murdoch's story will give hope and support to those struggling."

Frankie & Alice hits theaters April 4.