Original Sin

Story Line: A wealthy Cuban man (Banderas) falls in love with his mail-order bride from America (Jolie), but soon he discovers she's not quite what he ordered.

Bottom Line: From its suggestive box art and scintillating trailers--complete with close-ups of Jolie's red, round lips talking about "sin"--its not too hard to figure out that the movie is selling sex. With that in mind, the first half delivers, since the newlywed strangers take to the bed and bathtub to get to know each other. Outside of the sheets, the story has its share of twists and turns, but it isn't too hard to predict. Jolie and Banderas seem a bit stilted and uncomfortable in their period clothes, while trying to deliver writer/director Cristofer's idea of period vernacular. However, Jane gives a good turn as a detective with a dark secret. Based on the book by Cornell Woolrich, whose work also inspired the movies Rear Window and Mrs. Winterbourne among many others, Original Sin was a high-profile disappointment at the box office, but in the privacy of their homes, plenty of people will probably want to give these beautiful stars and their erotic thriller a chance on video. The unrated DVD version offers two additional minutes of passion. --Samantha Clark