Original Sin Film Review

certificate_18

ORIGINAL SIN

Forgive director Michael Cristofer, for he has sinned. He has fashioned a risible erotic thriller from Cornell Woolrich's Pulitzer Prize-winning thriller Waltz Into Darkness, set in late 19th-century Havana.

Cuban businessman Luis Vargas (Banderas) has everything his heart desires - apart from a wife. He begins a correspondence with an American woman Julia Russell (Jolie) who, from her letters, sounds like a perfect candidate for marriage.

When she arrives in Cuba, however, the real Julia is far more than Luis could have ever imagined: a sexually confident predator who entrances him with her beauty.

The dream turns sour when Julia disappears with Luis's money, and a private investigator, Walter Downs (Jane), arrives with devastating news - Julia might be a murderer and a thief. Desperate to know the truth, Luis sets out to uncover Julia's shady past and to beat her at her own deadly game.

Original Sin is a poor excuse for a thriller, burdened with a flimsy, linear script and lifeless performances. The plot twists and turns but doesn't take the time to conceal its surprises. One major revelation is telegraphed so far in advance that you can't help laughing when the characters fail to notice what is staring them in the face.

The third act, in which Luis and Julia become card sharks, is almost completely redundant, and merely sets up an unpleasant rape sequence.

Banderas and Jolie look suitably hot and bothered, although not about one another. A lack of sexual chemistry destroys an illusion of Luis's infatuation and his willingness to almost kill himself hunting Julia down. The much mooted bedroom scene features plenty of writhing flesh, but it's not remotely sexy or erotic.

In fact, the relationship between Julia and her accomplice is far more compelling - primal, self-destructive and irrational. You'll find more entertainment on late-night Channel 5.