Original Sin Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Original Sin" showcases a mixed bag of technical attributes. The 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer successfully reproduces the film's unique visual aesthetic, which director Cristofer describes as having undergone a skip bleach process to desaturate colors selectively. This effect is captured with precision, delivering excellent black levels, finely delineated shadow details, and a natural-looking grain structure. Large expanses of white maintain their integrity without appearing excessively bright. Colors are distinctly rendered but lack intensity, aligning well with the director's vision. The practical absence of digital noise reduction (DNR), digital tampering, or compression artifacts is commendable.

Unfortunately, the overall visual fidelity is compromised by several flaws inherent in the source material. The most glaring issue is the pervasive softness of the image, which disrupts mid-range details and renders faces and wider shots murky and indistinct. The transfer suffers from an overabundance of scratches, static black spots, and extraneous noise such as dirt and grime, which detract significantly from the viewing experience. Shadow delineation is inconsistent, often plagued by crushing, leading to a loss of detail in darker scenes. These issues are particularly surprising and disappointing for a film released just a decade ago.

Overall, while the Blu-ray succeeds in capturing the artistic intent of "Original Sin" with its specific desaturated look and meticulous handling of color and black levels, its execution is marred by pronounced softness and notable source material imperfections. This limits its appeal for viewers seeking a pristine visual experience.

The audio presentation of "Original Sin" on Blu-Ray delivers a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround mix. While it doesn't redefine expectations, it effectively immerses viewers in the film's atmosphere, taking a conservative but effective approach with its use of surround sound. Highlighted scenes include sequences where Luis exits a Havana hotel into a bustling carnival; here, the soundfield dynamically activates across the five speakers, enhancing the sense of immersion. Subtler ambient effects are also well-executed in locations like the waterfront, theater, and plantation fields, providing a satisfying audio landscape that complements the visual scenes.

Musical scoring, particularly Terence Blanchard's compositions, is given ample space to breathe and adds emotional weight to the respective scenes. Dialogue reproduction is exceptionally clear and localized through the center speaker, ensuring that all spoken lines are comprehensible and sharp. However, panning effects across the soundstage can seem disjointed at times, with transitions that feel too abrupt and not as seamless as they could be. While rear channel activity isn't overly aggressive, it provides enough ambient presence to maintain viewer engagement throughout the film.

The Blu-ray extras for "Original Sin" provide thorough and compelling insights into various aspects of the film's production. The highlight is the Commentary by Writer/Director Michael Cristofer, where Cristofer's composed and deliberate delivery offers a deep dive into the performances of Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas, alongside technical observations and influences like Max Ophuls' shooting style. However, the pacing of his commentary sometimes lags due to prolonged pauses. The supplementary content extends to the promotional realm with Gloria Estefan's music video and a theatrical trailer, both adding additional context and promotional flavor to the package.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Writer/Director Michael Cristofer: Detailed observations on performances, technical elements, editing challenges, and film influences.
• Gloria Estefan, You Can't Walk Away From Love: Performance music video featured in the closing credits.
• Theatrical Trailer: An overview of the first half of the plot with unique dialogues not present in the final cut.

"Original Sin," directed by Michael Cristofer, attempts to present a compelling tale of sensual obsession and betrayal within an exotic early 20th Century Cuban backdrop. The film reunites Cristofer with Angelina Jolie, who was instrumental in her breakthrough performance in HBO's "Gia," this time pairing her with Antonio Banderas. Adapted by Cristofer from Cornell Woolrich’s novel, the intricate narrative holds promise but falls flat due to a scattered and unfocused execution. The film diverges considerably from its New Orleans origins to Cuba, yet the change in setting alone doesn’t imbue the story with the depth it seeks. The unrated original cut retains all of its intended provocative content, but unfortunately, it fails to create the necessary emotional engagement or narrative consistency.

The plot follows Luis Antonio Vargas (Banderas), a prosperous Cuban coffee exporter, and Julia Russell (Jolie), his mail-order bride whose beauty and mystery set off a chain of events marked by mistrust and deception. Despite an initially intriguing setup, the film suffers from excessive plot developments that detract from the core exploration of Luis and Julia’s relationship. The film tries to make use of flashbacks and interspersed jail cell confessions from Julia to fabricate depth, but this strategy pulls the audience further away rather than engendering sympathy or understanding. Jolie and Banderas strive to breathe life into their roles, but are hampered by a script that over-relies on melodramatic conventions without delivering genuine emotional underpinnings.

“Original Sin” aims to be an erotic thriller but misses the mark on both counts. Instead of fostering genuine eroticism through character chemistry and storytelling, it substitutes overly extended scenes with surface-level intimacy. Furthermore, the narrative is riddled with predictable twists and turns that dilute any potential intrigue and suspense. The film’s uneven pacing and constant shifts between the melodramatic and the mundane fail to hypnotize or fully engage the audience. Despite Cristofer’s evident aspiration for a fever-dream allure, "Original Sin" remains an example of ambition unmet by execution.

The Blu-ray release of "Original Sin" presents a mixed bag, earning points for its high-definition visual and audio quality but failing to deliver an engaging viewing experience overall. The cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto is markedly excellent, capturing the film’s aesthetic with remarkable clarity and atmospheric depth. The production design similarly supports the film’s period setting and tone, establishing a visually immersive environment. Unfortunately, these technical merits do not salvage the viewing experience due to the film's underlying issues.

The narrative itself comes across as a disjointed attempt at a thriller, struggling to maintain any real tension or intrigue. Its reliance on eroticism doesn't compensate for the otherwise lackluster plot, leaving it feeling flat and unengaging. While the video quality on this Blu-ray is reasonably good, featuring solid color accuracy and strong contrast, it is not exceptional enough to elevate the material. The audio fares better in comparison but is also not significant enough to warrant notable praise.

I'm cynical enough to believe that the principal audience for this disc consists of Jolie fans interested in acquiring hi-def images of her simulating lovemaking in the buff. If that's your goal, this disc fits the bill. As far as an interesting story is concerned, some of it is interesting, and the production design and cinematography (by Amores Perros's Rodrigo Prieto) are exceptional. What's missing is a compelling narrative that draws you in and holds you for the entire running time. Without that, I can't recommend the movie or the disc.