Film Review: Original Sin (2001)

Mail-order brides are the phenomenon that is in popular perception associated with invention of Internet and collapse of Soviet Union. The practice is, however, much older and widespread throughout different locations and periods of history. One such example serves as a plot for Original Sin, 2001 erotic thriller directed by Michael Kristofer.

The film is based on Waltz into Darkness, 1947 novel by American crime fiction writer Cornell Woolrich. The plot begins in Cuba at the second half of 19th Century, when the island was still ruled by Spain. Protagonist is Luis Antonio Vargas, rich plantation owner who has decided to take American bride. Before she arrives to Cuba, based on the previously sent photographs, he expects plain-looking woman. He is pleasantly surprised when Julia Russell (played by Angelina Jolie) appears to be beauty. Vargas didn’t want a woman to love him because of his money, he has deliberately lied in letters of being a common clerk, so he doesn’t think much of a deception. Things begin to get serious when Julia’s relatives from America begin to complain about lack of her letters. Vargas refuses to question Julia’s identity and motives, at least until private investigator Walter Downs (played by Thomas Jane) comes to Havana. Before he visits Vargas’ plantation, Julia disappears and it turns out that she has cleaned her husband’s bank accounts. Vargas discovers that Julia is actually an impostor that has taken identity of woman who had been, in most likelihood, murdered. Vargas begins to look for Julia, uncertain whether he wants revenge or is he still hopelessly in love with her.

Woolrich’s novel was first adapted in 1969 by famous French director François Truffaut under title Mississippi Mermaid and starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Catherine Denevue. Three decades later the new version has created a lot of publicity over its sex scenes – allegedly so steamy that it had required CGI to digitally remove Jolie’s numerous tattoos from her nude body. For Jolie nudity wasn’t a problem, since she had even steamier scenes in Gia, cable television film written and directed by Cristofer three years earlier. Those scenes, however, are very short and directed in annoying MTV-style rapid editing that, unlike in case of Gia, makes them rather non-erotic. The audience is instead forced to suffer through rather uninspired combination of romantic drama and erotic thriller which too many times turns into unintentional parody of both genres. Cast seems to be disinterested. Banderas at times gives impression of trying to play Keanu Reeves instead of Vargas. Jolie, despite plenty of (denied) rumours about alleged off screen romance, shows complete lack of chemistry with Banderas. Even Jack Thomposn, otherwise dependable Australian character actor, leaves bad impression with poor Southern accent. The only bright spot among the cast belongs to Thomas Jane who does a solid job in the role of detective. There was plenty of money involved in the film and Cristofer tried to hide the lack of sensible plot with likeable Cuban-themed soundtrack by Terence Blanchard, nice cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto and interesting period details. While watchable, Original Sin represents huge disappointment and would make many viewers think that so many talents and resources could have been used on something much better.

RATING: 3/10 (+)

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