Original Sin (2001)
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A wealthy plantation owner and a mail-order bride enter a marriage built on mutual deception and hidden agendas.
The story
Set in late 19th century Cuba during Spanish rule, the story unfolds through a woman's confession to a priest while awaiting execution. Luis Vargas, a wealthy plantation owner posing as a poor clerk, arranges to marry Julia Russell, a mail-order bride from Delaware. Julia, who intentionally used a plain photo to find a man who values more than just her looks, admits they are both deceptive. Despite their mutual distrust, they marry and begin a passionate life together. However, Julia's sister Emily arrives in Cuba, suspecting Julia is an impostor, and hires a detective to find her.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows the tangled web of lies between Luis Vargas and Julia Russell in 19th-century Cuba. After marrying, Luis gives Julia access to his fortune, but Julia eventually takes nearly all of it. Luis teams up with a detective, Walter Downs, to find her, only to discover Julia is in league with Walter. After a violent confrontation where Luis shoots Walter, Julia reveals she is actually in league with Walter (who is revealed to be her old lover, Billy). They plan to poison Luis. Luis discovers the plot, confesses his love, and swallows the poisoned drink. Julia flees with the dying Luis, but they are pursued by Walter. At a train station, Luis shoots and wounds Walter, and Julia finishes him off. The story is framed by Julia's confession to a priest, who is found in her clothing the next morning. The film ends with a scene in Morocco where Julia watches a card game with Luis, signaling him about other players' cards.
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 116
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; France; Mexico; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Cristofer
- Writers
- Michael Cristofer · writer
- Cast and characters
- Antonio Banderas; Angelina Jolie; Thomas Jane; Jack Thompson
- Genres
- erotic romantic thriller; crime drama; romantic drama; mystery
- Themes
- Deception; Betrayal; Love; Greed
- Tone and mood
- Melodramatic; Erotic; Suspenseful
- Setting
- Late 19th century Cuba during Spanish rule
- Premise and plot tags
- Embezzlement; Romance; Crime; Mystery
- Source material / true-story basis
- Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich
- Reception
- The film received generally unfavorable reviews, described as laughably melodramatic with bad acting and poor dialogue. However, it received a positive review from Roger Ebert, who praised Angelina Jolie's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 3.40/10 · scale: 10 · review count: 91; Metacritic · score: 33 · review count: 24
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Actress · Nominated
- Production trivia
- It was rumored that the chemistry between Jolie and Banderas led to a relationship, which they denied.; The film had to be cut to achieve an R-rating, which director Michael Cristofer called censorship.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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