atlasmb "Original Sin" starts with an improbable premise: that a wealthy man would venture to marry a woman he had never met and a beautiful woman would agree to marry a man she had never met. When we first meet Luis Vargas (Antonio Banderas) and Julia Russell (Angelina Jolie), there is the inescapable feeling that neither would have trouble finding a mate. We are half correct.This story has a number of twists in it, twists that I won't divulge so that the viewer's journey is more enjoyable. Luis owns a coffee plantation in Cuba. He falls in love with Julia. Their lives seem idyllic until the young woman disappears. The romance now becomes a mystery. In his efforts to discover what happened to Julia, Luis crosses paths with those of the lower social strata, shall we say, and his love propels him to make choices that he never would have dreamed of in his pre-Julia days.Along the way, the story of "Original Sin" takes a turn near "Vertigo" then continues on its winding way into unforeseen areas. The plot involves mistaken identities, a few red herrings, and some major grifting. In the end, all the piece of this puzzle come together, leaving us with a tale about love, faith and, maybe, redemption.The entire journey is lovingly filmed in some beautiful Mexican settings. The two lovers are beautiful in their own rights and the camera dwells on their images as part of the lush environs. But Banderas and Jolie are more than pretty faces; their acting is convincing. For the most part, the other actors also feel like they inhabit the places and times of "Original Sin".Anything more I might say about this film could reveal some plot lines, so I will just say I give it a score of 7 out of 10.

Desertman84 Original Sin is an erotic thriller based on the novel,Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich.Also,it is a remake of Mississippi Mermaid. Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas stars in it.Michael Cristofer directs.Luis Durand,portrayed by Antonio Banderas, is an 18th century coffee merchant whose supposedly plain mail-order bride turns out to be a sexy bombshell American Julia Russell,played by Angelina Jolie. Handsome and rich,Luis has never married. His expectations for the bride are realistic:kind,true and young enough to bear children.She does not have to be beautiful.But obviously,she sent the wrong photo.She sent someone who is of a plain woman.But she is far from that for she happens to be sultry and beautiful.She confesses she sent the wrong photo because she did not want a man who was attracted only to her beauty. He confesses, too: He owns his plantation and is not simply a worker there. He didn't want to attract a gold-digger.Then,both get married.At first,they seem happy. He is so smitten that he allows her access to all of his considerable financial resources. But the happiness ends when Julia vanishes in possession of her husband's money. He sets off in pursuit, although whether to kill her or to win her back, not even he can say.Too bad that the movie is contrived.Also,what's worse,it started to become illogical and absurd as the story progresses.Later,we learn a lot of the information from Julia herself who is in jail and being prepared for execution. Soon after Julia's disappearance, we learn she is not actually Julia at all, and that the real Julia was murdered. And many more plot twist until it provides the audience an ending where everything is turned around and it ends up cheating the audience.The acting was great in the early scenes for Banderas and Jolie have great chemistry but once Julia's loyalties are brought into question repeatedly, this chemistry is sacrificed for the story.Indeed,both the characters that they have played have become machinations for the plot. The only good thing about it is that it is high on lust as there are a lot of sensual and sex scenes between Jolie and Banderas that the audience would surely enjoy.But nothing more.

leplatypus Back to back with director Cristofer and this time, he finally has a decent movie: Gone the stupid scripts, the flashy pain because here it's a good love story mated with a riveting thriller.At first, when i discovered that the story was set in Spanish culture (explaining the casting of Banderas), i was dubious but the director really focuses on the characters and their relationships. In addition, his camera is quick and it has the exciting move of surrounding, traveling the characters, even as they walk. But, he is maybe too fast because i don't understand two moments: first, when Banderas meets again with the detective, why there's no mention of their Sunday meeting? Two, why did they go then to Havana? Overall, I think this movie offers great lines about love ("to give") and lust ("to take") and portrays true lovers, because Banderas and Angie are ready to follow whatever the blows they got. (Personnaly, i lived that and i quit!).I admit that Banderas is a truly gifted actor and that it was cool to see Angelina back in her old powerful characters after her recent failures. Jane (the actor) is really the irritating guy because he has already annoyed "La" Bellucci in "Under suspicion".

rr-alcaraz I was move by this movie. Love Story at its superb presentation. If you think you know what love is, say that after watching this. Have you seen a man, cheated on his own eyes, rob up to the last cents and almost killed many times by his wife who getaway with it.until he saw her again, then what he did is…taddann..kiss her.I own a tape of this movie so i have the chance of watching it allover again.It is one of those few movies that gets you involve while watching it.The character of Angelina defines a woman-tempted,weak,fearful yet glamorous,smart and full of guts.It makes me re think of the Garden of Eden,how Eve persuade Adam to bite the forbidden fruit.Antonio Banderas in here is the typical in love person-how he defeats his mind and let his heart rule him.How he practically choose to be dumb over all the lies,deceit and hatred she caused him.This is a perfect love story for those who sinned against their love ones hoping for redemption...and also the best story for those who loves someone who hurt them badly but waiting for apologies in open arms.