Original Sin

Take one of those soft-focused Zalman King erotica flicks from the 1990s--Wild Orchid, for example, or his late-night Showtime series The Red Shoe Diaries--water down the sex a little and rewind the clock 100 years, and you've got most of the formula for this by-the-book bodice-ripper set in Cuba during the 1890s: the steamy, sweaty story of a good man (Antonio Banderas) ruined by his love for a bad woman (Angelina Jolie), who takes him for everything he's worth (and he still comes crawling back for more). There's not much point in disparaging genre hallmarks such as the boudoir fantasy voice-overs, overly stylized slow-mo lovemaking scenes or melodramatic acting, but director Michael Cristofer (who helmed Jolie's breakout HBO film Gia) falls victim to the frivolous trappings of this pulp carnality, letting the tawdry get the better of him and falling back on the most transparent of narrative techniques. Will Antonio kill for Angelina? Zoom in on his smoldering eyes and--puh-leaze! Not a necessary purchase. [Note: the DVD is available in rated and unrated versions, with the latter sporting extra steamy fooage; extras include a director's commentary and Gloria Estefan music video.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—June 21, 2011—MGM, 118 min., not rated, $19.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2001's Original Sin sports a decent transfer with DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by director Michael Cristofer, the music video “You Can't Walk Away From Love” by Gloria Estefan, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid Blu-ray debut for a steamy but forgettable film.]