Popkorn Junkie

Movie review for the film Original Sin starring Angelina Jolie and Antonio Bandreas.  Directed by Michael Cristofer.
 Popkorn Junkie Home | Archive | About Us | Junkieville | Buzz-Links | Reviewers

Note: This film has an R rating.

Junkie Rating:

This film received 2 pops out of 4 pops.This film received 2 pops out of 4 pops.This film received 2 pops out of 4 pops.This film received 2 pops out of 4 pops.
 

ast and Credits

Michael Cristofer (Director)
Antonio Banderas (Louis Durand)
Angelina Jolie (Julia)
Allison Mackie (Augusta)
Visit the official Original Sin website

 

Like the movie?  Maybe you'll like...
 
 Buy Original Sin DVD at Amazon.com
 Buy this movie on DVD
 

The original motion picture sound track

Buy the soundtrack

 

 
I don't need a Bible to tell me that this film commits more than just one sin:
  • It under uses both a good storyline and good actors.
  • Against what can make period pieces effective, it largely ignores the nuances of its setting.
  • Too much gratuitous skin.
  • Doesn't warn audience members to bring crackers for gluttonous cheese-eating.
      The story is based on a book by Cornell Woolrich, who also penned the work from which Alfred Hitchcock's "Rear Window" was born. Both stories are creepy, and their details are obvious to most minds.  Where Hitch, however, brilliantly keeps the viewer second-guessing what she knows will happen, this time we are just waiting for the story to play out.  It's not nearly as engaging.
 
      Antonio Banderas plays a Chilean coffee mogul who sets out to find an American bride so that she can have his babies.  Angelina Jolie's character shows up at his port, they are married, and he falls for her.  There is a lot of skin.  Then she makes off with his money, and he hunts her down saying he will kill her.  The story is narrated by Jolie wearing a skull cap and endearing herself to the monk who is preparing her for her execution by neck-snapping.
 
      While the story presents many possibilities for development (a la "Rear Window"'s comments on voyeurism and the cinematic experience), what we get is some really weak dialogue presented by people who seem to be playing dress-up rather than actually communing with their characters.  The problem's essence is possibly with the mood of the movie.  Despite some gorgeous scenery and costuming, the time period seems incidental and the actors seem almost bored, or as if they are just practicing.  Possibly, "Original Sin" is an attempt at an homage to moving pictures of old, but it falls short.
 
Where, oh where, is Hitchcock when you need him? 


     -- Liz ( 2 out of 4 pops )

 

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

 
Other Junkie's opinions.....

      Mike ( 2 out of 4 pops )

      "Original Sin" is a disappointing movie about love and deception.  The acting by Banderas and Jolie is mostly good, but some of the things that happen are fairly silly and takes away from the seriousness of the movie.  Having said that, I still liked this movie ok and was entertained, but it should have been much better.