Director: Michael Cristofer
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Antonio Banderas, Thomas Jane
Running Time: 116 minutes
Synopsis: In Cuba of the late 1800s, successful businessman Luis Vargas (Antonio Banderas) marries American mail-order bride Julia Russell (Angelina Jolie). He is astonished at her beauty and quickly falls in love. Letters of concern from Julia's sister are followed by the appearance of private detective Walter Downs (Thomas Jane), asking about Julia's well-being. Luis starts to suspect that Julia is hiding secrets, but he remains hopelessly infatuated.
What Works Well: The adaptation of Cornell Woolrich's novel about the irresistible powers of love and lust benefits from attractive location filming (in Mexico) and an earthy if romanticized sense of time and place. Director Michael Cristofer and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto use elegant and swoopy camera movements, surrounding Luis and Julia with colourful dynamism. The couple's erotic scenes of lovemaking sizzle with the necessary passion to underpin Luis' subsequent devotion to a woman who otherwise remains an enigma.
What Does Not Work As Well: Luis' background and character traits are just assumed, and his willful dismissal of obvious signs of foul play and betrayal erode logic and credibility. Meanwhile, Julia's compelling backstory suffers from tell-but-don't-show shortcomings. The second half starts to drag with repetitive emotions and a doubling down on the same beats, prolonging the wait for the inevitable final confrontation.
Key Quote:
Julia (to Luis): So here's to us, a short life, but an exciting one.
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