Had John Grisham lived in the Middle Ages, he might have concocted something like this seductive mystery about an idealistic lawyer in 15th-century Paris who moves to a small farm town in order to spread his enlightened ideals of democracy. What he finds there, however, is a complex case of corruption, hypocrisy and murder. Colin Firth, Ian Holm, Nicol Williamson, Lysette Anthony star. 102 min.

Bernardo Bertolucci directs Debra Winger and John Malkovich in an erotic, hypnotic adaptation of the acclaimed novel by Paul Bowles. Set just after World War II, the beautifully photographed epic follows a trio of disaffected Americans on a soul-searching journey across the North African desert. Campbell Scott, Jill Bennett also star. 138 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer; interactive menus; scene access.