Timeless Obsession (1996)

 

A romance novelist who's trying to be faithful for once in his life becomes obsessed with an old painting of a woman.  It turns out, the painting holds the answer to his infidelity, with origins in another lifetime. Featuring Jennifer Behr, so you know it's worth a look.

Alex (Todd Eckert) is a successful romance novelist.

A beautiful woman named Savannah (Jennifer Behr) approaches him on the beach.

They go back to his place.

They have sex in the shower

Alex pours lemonade down Savannah's throat (!) then, hilariously, he drinks it and spits it in her face. It has to be seen to be believed.

He lays her on kitchen counter

They have sex throughout the kitchen, making a total mess

It's at this moment that Alex's girlfriend comes home.

Helen (Samantha Mudd) is pissed

She throws Savannah off and strangles Alex

While they tussle, Savannah puts on a pair of panties and has a message for Alex...

She bends down to tell Alex that she had a great time, and leaves him her number.

Helen screams for her to leave.

Turns out, Helen is a psychiatrist.

She's trying to cure Alex's infidelity problem.  It seems no matter how hard he tries he can't get past two months in any relationship.

Helen wants to try hypnosis.

Alex thinks back to a prior infidelity.

It was with Rose (Kiara Hunter), his agent's wife.

Rose is infatuated with Alex's books, and thereby Alex himself.

Helen thinks he's making progress.  But the hypnosis has done more than they realize - it has unlocked a connection to his previous life.

Alex feels compelled to visit this painting of a mysterious woman.

Mrs. Sparrow (Sharon Farrell) the museum director doesn't like Alex standing in front of this painting for hours on end.  But he explains he's a rich novelist, and she lets it slide.

As if in a dream, Alex is transported back in time - and sees the lady in the painting. Her named is Sarah (Venesa Talor).

It seems Alex (called Alexander in this time period) painted the picture in a previous life.

Alex writes about it in his new novel.

Savannah returns for a second round.

This time Savannah's brought a friend, Julie.

Alex is transported back to his previous life.  It seems he was similarly tempted by Savannah and Julie back then as well.

The power of love for Sarah enables him to fend off the temptresses

Mrs. Sparrow tries to snap Alex out of his reverie. 

Helen thinks Alex is spending too much time at the museum.  She doesn't trust him.

Helen spends the entirety of this film angry and jealous.

Alex has make-up sex with Helen.

That was a pretty awkward sex scene.  This scene pouring coffee is more erotic.

Alex finds the painting of Sarah is gone.  He begs Mrs. Sparrow to tell him where it is.

Mrs. Sparrow agrees to tell him... but it comes at a price.

Alex buys the painting of Sarah and hangs it in his living room.

Alex and Helen fool around.  It seems for a moment that he's cured of his infidelity problem.

He carries Helen to the bed and they have sex.

This sex scene is just as awkward as the last.

Alex lapses back into his previous life and remembers having sex with Sarah.

Alex can't believe there's a new painting - and it's of him!

Sarah had painted Alexander in the previous life.  This is when we meet John (Greg Kohout), who causes trouble for everyone.

Back to present day - Alex finds the spitting image of Sarah on the street, hanging with hookers.

He takes the woman home and they have sex.

She tells Alex that she actually is Sarah.  However, Alex can't believe it - he presumes she's just role playing for his benefit, as hookers are wont to do.

Helen and Alex have their millionth fight.  He kicks her out of his house.

Sarah returns and tells Alex that his problems stem from an incident that occurred in his previous life.  She explains what went down all those years ago...

Sarah was cheating on Alexander with John.

Sarah hears Alexander approaching...

Alexander challenges John to a duel.  

Alexander presumes Sarah was having sex against her will... if he only knew the truth.

Sarah begs them not to duel, but she cannot stop it.

Sarah is shot by John when she stands in front of Alex.  She begs him not to shoot John. Sarah confesses that the adultery was consensual.

At that moment, Alex meets Helen in a previous life.

With her dying breath Sarah releases Alex from his vows, and thus the curse is lifted. 

Now, Alex is free to love again.  He's reunited with Helen. THE END

---

Essentially just a Harlequin Romance, but a lot better than I expected.  This sort of melodrama isn't my bag, but the nudity was plentiful and it's told competently.  

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆6/10