Original Sins
1995
Also known as: Acts of Contrition

Cast

Mark Harmon as
Jonathan Frayne
Julianne Phillips as
Becka Sharp
Ron Perlman as
Chas Bradley
Sarah Trigger
as Laura

with
David Clennon.... Jimbo
Gustave Johnson.... Det. Mark Kanin
Betty Miller.... Doris Campisi

Directed by Jan Egleson
Written by John Pielmeier

Genre: Drama

Filming Locations: Boston, Massachusetts, & Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA .

Production Companies: Maple Street Films & Sarabande Productions
_ _ _

"ORIGINAL SINS"
[Acts of Contrition]

A Review by F. Cope
(Screen captures by Pat Paone)

'Acts of Contrition' was a low budget film made for television, with tight story telling in a "who-done-it" that kept me guessing until the end.

The action takes place in snowy Boston. Two teenagers are hunting along the shoreline for change. What they find is a human skeleton.

At the local radio station a man (Mark Harmon) walks in from the street with an idea for a show, a phone-in of 'True Confessions,' because everyone has a secret. The head of the station, Chas Bradley (Ron Perlman) is pleased to take on a show that's cheap and fills a gap.

Mark Harmon does an excellent job of carrying a substantial part of the film. His character (Jonathan Frayne) says he just wants to listen but he has a secret like everyone else.

A male caller's distorted voice makes claims about the skeleton, "she died an awful death. I know because I killed her."

Who is the mentally disturbed killer? Is it someone from the radio station?

Chas Bradley - whose head spins are a lot sharper than his wits - has a loud taste in ties. Ron Perlman does not have as much screen time as fans might like, but as an arms folded, gum chewing insensitive, he makes the most of the part.

I don't want to reveal too much of the story, but as the mystery unfolds, peoples' secrets are uncovered.

So what allows us to sense Chas's humanity? Perhaps it is the recognition that this character has some secret dreams of his own.

F. Cope. 12-9-99


Trivia

David Clennon (Jimbo) played the role of Cullen in the 1st season 'BEAUTY AND THE BEAST' episode, "Fever."