Original Sin

Plot synopsis:
Original Sin is set in the late 19th century Cuba during the Spanish rule, and flashes back and forth from the scene of a woman awaiting her execution by garrote while telling her story to a priest, to the actual events of that story.
Luis Vargas (Antonio Banderas) sends for American Julia Russell (Angelina Jolie) from Delaware to sail to his country Cuba to be his mail-order bride. Julia alights from the ship, looking nothing like the photos she had sent prior to her voyage. Julia explains she wants more than a man who is only interested in a pretty face and that is why she has been deceptive—substituting a plain-looking woman's photo in place of her own picture. Luis also admits to a deception; he has been misleading her into believing that he is a poor clerk in a coffee export house, instead of being the rich owner of that coffee export house. On hearing this, Julia says that they both have something in common and that is that both are not to be trusted. But they assure each other that they would make efforts in understanding and trusting each other in life.
Luis and Julia wed in the church within hours of her setting foot in Cuba. Luis falls passionately in love with his new wife. They passionately make love.
Meanwhile, Julia's sister Emily has been trying to contact her, worried about her after such a long trip to a strange land. She sends an emotional letter to Julia asking about her welfare. Luis forces Julia to write back, fearing that if Julia continues to ignore Emily's letters, Emily will assume something terrible has befallen her sister and she might send the authorities to check on her welfare. Holding off as long as possible, Julia finally pens a letter to her sister.
In order to assure that his wife has everything she wants, Luis adds Julia to his business and personal bank accounts, giving her free rein to spend as she pleases. Luis discovers that Julia has run off with nearly all of his fortune and then teams up with a detective, Walter Downs (Thomas Jane), hired by Emily to find her real sister Julia. Walter arrived from Wilmington and tells Luis that he would like to see Julia on the coming Sunday. Luis informs Julia about this and she gets upset. Emily arrives in Cuba and meets Luis and shows the letter Julia wrote to her. She informs Luis that he believes Julia to be an impostor and that her sister Julia may be dead and that the impostor may be working with someone. The two set out together looking for her.
Luis finds Julia and discovers she is actually working with Walter and that he and Luis are staying at the same hotel. Luis believes she loves him and lies to Walter, but, when confronted, a fight breaks out and Luis shoots Walter. Julia coldly tells Luis to go and buy them tickets home, but the minute he leaves, Walter gets to his feet; he had loaded the gun with blanks. Julia appears to love Luis, but, Walter has too much control over her, so, she continues to work for him as she and Luis run off to live in secret with the supposedly dead Walter in pursuit. Walter turns out to be Julia (Bonny's) old lover and partner Billy.
Luis throws away his promising future and opens himself to living a lie with Julia. One night, Luis follows Julia/Bonny and discovers Walter/ Billy is alive and that the two are still working together; she is apparently going to poison her husband that very night. He returns home and waits for her and when she arrives, he reveals that he knows about the plan, confesses his love for her once more and swallows the poisoned drink Though she tries hard to stop him. Julia flees with the dying Luis, with Walter close behind. They run into him at a train station; Walter is furious that Julia has betrayed him. As Walter holds a knife to her throat, Luis shoots and wounds him, with Julia finishing him off by shooting.
Back in the mise en scene, Julia finishes her story and asks the priest to pray with her. The next morning the guards come to her cell to take her to her execution, only to find the priest kneeling in her clothing.
In Morocco, Julia is watching a card game. She walks around the table occupied by gamblers—including Luis—and thanks them for allowing her to watch. As Julia signals Luis about the other players' cards, he begins telling them the story of how they got there.

Tags: suspenseful, boring, murder, violence, flashback

Review:
Original Sin, set in Cuba and filmed in Mexico had the visuals down perfect-throw in the acting of Jolie and Banderas and you have a visual feast.The book/script were fabulous vehicles for the acting of the majors as well as a framework that works beautifully for the intrigues that pepper this film.
I want to wallow in the beauty of the images and settings at least one more time.Any viewer who likes settings and images from slightly earlier times owes it to themselves to look for Original Sin in their local rental shop because it is a wonderful film that seemed to slip by the reviewers when it was released..
I have to admit that a 5.6 rating is much different from what I would give this film."Original Sin" seemed to be the movie that everyone walked away from.
Perhaps this apparent smoke screen of an issue caused Angelina Jolie's (often chapped and super-pouty) lips to be sealed regarding her role in the movie.
And after making sure every radio listener heard, "The Music of My Heart," even the inconspicuously conspicuous Estefans forgot to drop the hint that they contributed to the film's lushly romantic score.The fact that this was not a perfect movie didn't prevent it from being an excellent one.
It could also be due to the fact that the plot, "not a love-story, but a story about love," didn't match the small space many viewers have reserved in their hearts for Romance and Drama - just not both!Anyone who takes the time to TRULY WATCH THIS MOVIE will find that they cannot walk away from loving it.
Jolie succeeds in revealing every aspect of Bonnie's internal struggle to achieve personal authenticity while accepting a once-in-a-lifetime chance at true intimacy.In many ways, the film is about humankind's universal need to be, "who we truly are" as well as the long, winding and often treacherous road toward love's salvation (closely examine the play Julia & Vargas went to see).
A lot if intrigue and plot twists, and of course, Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas were well matched as lovers.
Much more A quality, bigger names, bigger production, and basically more money was spent making it, which more often than not, is a good thing, and helps the film rather than hurting it.Jolie and Banderas have never been favorites of mine, and in fact the only movie I ever liked Angelina in before this was 'Girl Interrupted', and Banderas in 'Two Much'.
The film's plot, script, and acting are only average, but the film is buoyed by some sizzling chemistry between Jolie and Banderas.
Their sex scenes are extremely memorable, so make sure you get an un-edited version (unrated).Banderas plays a wealthy Cuban coffee farmer whose dedication to his trade has thus-far distracted him from the important business of finding a good wife.
Cornell Woolrich's novel "Waltz Into Darkness" would seem an ideal murder-mystery/sexual thriller to absorb a modern-day audience (as a storyteller, Woolrich was far ahead of his time), but writer-director Michael Cristofer doesn't have the teasing personality, nor the sure-handed style, to bring out the juicy twists of this tale.
Leads Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie look good together in and out of their clothes, but his forceful, full-blooded acting eclipses hers by a mile.
Original Sin, a movie with scandal, surprises, and a whole lotta love (I mean the physical kind) has Antonio Banderas as a wealthy Mexican coffee maker owner who orders a mail order bride (weird to have this in 1900) played by Angelina Jolie.
These twists give some great scenes of power for Banderas and Jolie to work off of, plus a excellent amount of sex and nudity from Jolie and a good feeling for the movie throughout.
Luis Antonio Vargas (Antonio Banderas) is surprised that his mail order bride Julia Russell (Angelina Jolie) is that beautiful.
If You are a Fan of Sexy Stars Angelina Jolie & Antonio Banderas this Might be a Movie that is Worth Checking Out. If You are a Fan of Jolie's Lips than it is a Must See. Because there are Numerous Closeups of those Famous Kissers.
There is Also a Generous Amount of Nudity and if You Catch the Unrated Version, More.The Film is Lavishly Produced and Looks Sumptuous in that Steamy, Tropical, Lurid Way that these Types of Antiquated Stories Set in an Antiquated Cuba must Deliver.
Original Sin. I thought this movie was great.
It had a little to much sex than I thought, but the movie was very good, It had a great cast and a good story plot.
Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie star in an erotic thriller which is not particularly erotic and certainly not thrilling.
But not nearly enough of them to save what is ultimately a rather bad movie.The movie's story is told in flashback with Jolie's character, Julia, narrating.
Original Sin is a disappointing thriller starring Antonio Banderas, Angelina Jolie, and Thomas Jane.
The director does an all right job of bringing this movie to the big screen but unfortunately the pacing is slow and the film could've been a lot better.
The only reason I gave this movie four stars out of ten is because of the attempt by the actors and the very steamy sex scene between Banderas and Jolie that really pushes the R rating.
Despite the talent of Banderas and Jolie who try to bring life to the characters the same can go for Jane who does an okay job with the supporting role he does have the movie itself just isn't that great.
Overall Original Sin isn't that good of a movie and you're better off watching something else.
Unless your a kid who wants to see Jolie featured in a graphic sex scene and without her clothes on then this is the movie for you.
This screenplay is quite interesting, and when Angelina Jolie leans ahead of the dead body and says "Billy, you really got what you deserved this time", you're thinking "oh, nice plot-twist".
So in the end I'd say that the film is pretty graceful - gracefully written, acted, shot, though out - from the beginning to "Billy, you got what you deserved", and after that it turns into something else, another type of movie which we could call "the-plot-twist-contest-kind-of-movie".
Unfortunately for that "almost good" part of the film, Angelina Jolie was cast as the main actress of "Original Sin".
While Miss Jolie was compelling and true in a film like "Girl, Interrupted", she is nothing here but a commercial value on the movie poster.
But Angelina Jolie looks in no way like the character she portrays - and maybe simply doesn't fit with period dramas.
A wealthy businessman(Antonio Banderas) is thrust into a dizzy world of danger and mystery after marrying a sensationally beautiful woman(Angelina Jolie).
It gives the movie character bad and good sides at the time.
some of you said that you wanted to watch it because of angelina jolie and antonio banderas as headliners.
the plot was good but this movie couldnt have been the way it was if it wasnt for angelina jolie, antonio banderas, and thomas jane.
****Excellent***Good**Fair*PoorAntonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie are two very talented actors who both should have done another project that would have taken advantage of their talent.
In my opinion the only reason you may want to check out this film is to see Angelina Jolie naked.
Antonio Banderas plays a rich Cuban man in the late 1800s-early 1900s, who orders a mail order bride (Angelina Jolie).
There's some beautiful set design, exotic locations and good acting by Banderas and Jolie.
The original novel is set in America.The only reason to see this tripe is for a very steamy sex scene between Banderas and Jolie within the first half hour.
Anyway, Iliked the story (again) and I always find it an entertaining pleasure to look at Jolie and Banderas and being a European it will be quite obvious that I am definitely not offended by some modest nudity as shown in this movie.
But that does not hinder the movie from being very good.The movie stars Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie.
I also think Jolie was the best actor in the movie.The premise starts out like Amadeus.
(Not only with the plot but with the film title as well.)All in all, Original Sin was very good, despite it's pacing(and this may have to do with the fact that I have the unrated version that is slightly longer).
Of course the erotic scenes with Jolie and Banderas (and later other men), only add to that feeling.The purpose of the music is to add to the mystique and romance of old Cuba even more.
From the lush backdrop of 'Havana', Cuba, and absolutely mesmerizing musical score, I was instantly hooked.And yet these, as well as the darkened lighting throughout most of the film, were only indicative of the surprise twists & unexpected turns of plot which are hallmarks of great movies & their ability to transport you into another world for a time.This is not a romance for the faint-of-heart or cynic, but for the passionate and the fearless.
Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas made a beautiful-looking couple.
Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas are great!
Original Sin was released after Tomb Raider in USA, cos' MGM thought that opening the movie after the smash hit of Lara Croft's debut in the big screen, would call atention of the viewers because of Jolie.Sweat ilusion!Nobody went to the cinema to watch this `caliente' movie.It is not good but it is not the worst movie of all times.You can count here with a sexy Jolie and a usual Banderas always playing the latino guy with the strong accent.The story is full of twists and turns and it ends very well for a forgetable movie.Original Sin is just entertainment for adults who wants to see strong sex scenes and a poor plot that is just excuse to show the nudity of both Jolie and Banderas.5 out of 10..
Neither Angelina Jolie nor Antonio Banderas keeps the same accent throughout the film - a little detail that is quite annoying.
All the production funds must have been spent on all the diffuse-lit footage they got of Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas in bed - but that's a pity - because that footage was mostly gratuitous and not necessary to the plot of the film at all.
The novella doesn't elaborate on any of this, and it makes its points about obsessive love quite nicely anyway.This could have been a good movie.
Also, kudos to villian Jack Thompson who was a worthy bad guy.) and the script wasn't even that bad with screenwriter/director Cristopher adding an interesting plot twist that isn't in the book.I'd guess the potential of this film was ruined by somebody who thought more pictures of naked body parts would be a bigger selling point than the credibility and continuity of the picture.
We know Cristopher can do good work, and that Angelina Jolie can do it with him (Cristopher directed her in "Gia" for which she won a Golden Globe)...but this time something went way wrong.
In "Original Sin," I got a mental picture of a twelve year old with a reel and pair of scissors shouting "whee."  When the movie is (I think, though I couldn't be sure) going for a deadly smooth kind of mood, jerking the film around doesn't help anything.There are a couple of funny moments in this movie, and in one or two places there is a palpable sense of eroticism that is excellent.
To me their wasn't as much sex as I thought there was going to be, but the movie trailer set off a good vibe to the sexual content though.
The romance was good and I'm glad the sex was toned down for the whole movie even the unrated version wasn't bad either.
I understand that maybe a little bit of a sex scene would have been tolerable, But the film just clearly stated to be this movie which was based on hard core sex.
The sex scenes are beyond cheesy - completely gratuitous, and although I don't on principal mind looking at beautiful Angelina or hunky Antonio, I found myself bored and wanting to fast-forward - there was absolutely no chemistry there, and it was badly choreographed like late-night soft-core porn on cable.
There are a few other takes, that impressed me (i.e the wedding), but in general, the film suffers a lot from the predictable story and the disappointing ending..
Banderas good, Jolie great!.
With this movie, you think that you can anticipate the end, but it´s yet surprising...The performances are incredibly: Jolie shows all her weapons for seduction and also great transitions, amazing!
not one of the best banderas and jolie movies, but its a better ones..
If you want to see the most beautiful women of the new generation (lets not talk marylin monroe, audry hepburn,and sophia loren here), watch this movie, angelina jolie is better looking than ever!
dont trust her!" yet u find that shes so irresistable, u want to love her no matter how much she screwed up.banderas sucessfully potrays the character of luis, a loveable husband, a person who goes weak when it comes to loving julia/bonnie, a person who would do anything for love.i'd say if ure up for a smooth , quiet friday night, check this movie out, watch it properly and catch every single word, you will love it..
In the way back home from Caracas to Milan this christmas time I saw on the plane this film which honestly my major interest was initially on the acting, and not only, of Angelina Jolie.
Antonio Banderas plays a standard role of abandoned lover by a "femme fatal" of Angelina Jolie, but things change and the end is quite interesting.
I enjoyed the hell out of Original Sin, mostly because I'm simply not convinced Michael Cristofer didn't receive the howls of outrage and laughter with a kinky sense of satisfaction.Original Sin is set in Cuba in the 19th century, where Luis Varga (Antonio Banderas), a rich Cuban entrepreneur, is pleased but perplexed when the American woman he's been corresponding with, and who's just arrived to marry him, isn't the plain Julia Russell whose photo he'd received, but instead the gorgeous and seductive Angelina Jolie.
We don't have these big screens just for Taco Bell commercials.So now to the sex, the stuff that earned Original Sin it's R rating and where Cristofer's over-the-top attention to styling becomes a spectacle indeed.As a director, Cristofer has been stalking Angelina Jolie for years.
If you're into Jolie (as all men and most women are) or Banderas (as some men and some women are) and films so escapist they make you laugh out loud at the sheer absurdity of it all, Original Sin is a great night out.As a first date, I believe it might be unbeatable..
Original sin has a very good cast; However the plot wasn't as great as I thought it was going to be.
Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas made it worth watching, especially Angelina since she got an academy award for best actress in a leading role in "Girl interrupted".
I was amazed as well as disappointed, but I can really say that it was a very different love story that had the weirdest and happy original ending.
Up until the argument scene between Jolie and Banderas in her room after she left him, I thought I was in for a bad film.
But it was that scene caught my attention and made me sit up and watch the rest of the film thinking it was extremely good.
When i first saw the preview for "original sin," in movies theatres sometime in July, i was excited, because  a film actually looked good for once this year, and My favortie actress Angelina Jolie was in it...
but i didn't get what i was looking for.The film stars people like Antonio Bandereas and Thomas jane, and is directed by Michael Cristofer, the same man who directed The wonderful Gia with Angelina Jolie in that as well.
When i heard that Michael was directing this film i thought right away this is going to be a good movie...
Antonio Bandereas and the always fabulous Angelina Jolie both deliver good performances and the film was also very sexy...
but it ruins the good story at the end with the whole deal with Ms. Jolie.
What I saw was an awful film with some very banal dialogue and affected performances from Jolie and Jane (sounds like a new double act).
5.  The story and the ending was great, I never expected that lastmoment of the film...
Original sin has some very good moments but almost all of them are Angelina Jolie.
This 'Original Sin' Movie was an unpredictable plot about love.
It casted the sly Angelina Jolie as Julia Russell, and lovesick Antonio Banderas as Luis Vargas.
In conclusion, I recommend this film to anyone who likes suspenseful love stories..
Of course, the fact the Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie are my favorite actors may have sweetened the movie a little, but really, i did enjoy it.
I think that Angelina Jolie is great for the part, and no one could have played Julia Russel better than she did.
Now, imagine the same adapted novel, with the star power of an Angelina Jolie and an Antonio Banderas.
Jolie is beautiful as usual, and she plays well with Antonio Banderas.
The love scenes are irrelevant to the story line and look like bad soft-porn where there's no chemical between the 2 actors.
But when Julia arrives, it is non other but Angelina Jolie, not quite like the picture Luis has of his bride to be.
I went to see this movie for one reason and that was to see Angelina Jolie naked.
During the second half of Original Sin, the movie picks up a lot and things start coming together.