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The Talented Mr. Ripley

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Review

Recalling the visual splendor and fervent characterizations of his award-winning The English Patient, director Minghella's succulent dramatic thriller is one of the best Alfred Hitchcock films not made by the Master of Suspense. Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith (whose "Strangers on a Train" was adapted by Hitchcock), and filmed once before in 1960 as Purple Noon, this devious exercise in deception is a twisted little tale much like its young hero -- handsome trappings masking more sinister intent. All pouty and lean, Damon is excellent as Tom Ripley, a sociopath only by necessity who accepts a job from a shipping magnate to try to convince his wastrel son Dickie, who is living it up in Italy, to return to the States. Once there, Tom is enamored not only by Dickie's way of life but by Dickie as well. But accidents do happen, and soon Tom finds himself spiraling down an egregious path with no salvation. Minghella, who also wrote the smart screenplay, doesn't see Tom as a monster, but rather as an opportunist prepared to do what needs to be done. And that he is so sympathetic through most of this is testament to Damon's nearly tortured, galvanizing portrayal. Giving a dazzling performance which should cement him as a leading man, Law exudes sensuality and charm, leaving little doubt as to why Tom's senses would be impaired. Highsmith's novel leaves much of the sexual attraction of Tom Ripley towards Dickie implicit, Minghella's screenplay brings the homoerotic element to the forefront, leaving no doubt as to Tom Ripley's sexuality. He also introduces two new characters, an unsuccessful female suitor and a gay man Tom eventually shares a bed with. With three other Ripley novels it will be interesting to see if any other film adapations surface, and how Tom Ripley's fluid sexuality will be handled.

Customer Reviews

HAVING IT ALL

GEORGE wrote on 10/25/2004:

When picking out films to see, I usually gravitate toward the “small” independent type of film usually avoiding the larger “major” productions. Thus, I avoided “the Talented Mr. Ripley” up until recently. My mistake! “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is outstanding and has, to me, everything a movie should have to make it the “complete film experience”—great script and direction, great acting, wonderful sound tract and beautiful cinematography. This film has it all!
The acting, by all of the actors, is superb. Matt Damon, as Tom Ripley is outstanding. He portrays a very complicated character believably. At no time are you aware that he is acting. This character does things that are, indeed, despicable; however, due to the acting skills of Damon, I actually liked the guy and felt deep sympathy and empathy for him and for his desire to be someone else
(I think we all have been there—at least I have—fortunately all of us don’t do what Tom Ripley does, in the film, to achieve our wishes). To me the last scene of the film is fantastic and heart breaking due to Matt Damon giving a gut wrenching performance--the character Tom has finally found someone to love, and has found someone that accepts him as himself (happens to be a man) but due to past deeds and the need to keep his past hidden, he has to kill the person that could have brought him love and happiness. As usual, Jude Law, as the playboy and errant son Dickie, is awesome (and cute). He plays a cad but due to his acting skills you, like this cad. Gwenyth Platrow gives a “knock-em dead” performance, as Dickie’s girlfriend starting out as a plastic rich “air-head” and ending up as the only one that really knows what has happened to Dickie when he has disappeared and becoming a completely different person because of that knowledge. Her knock down drag out with the character Tom is great. Cate Blanchett plays a socialite- debutante-type (who's is dumb enough to think that Ripley is not gay) wonderfully. The acting alone would have made “The Talented Mr. Ripley” a great film; however, there is more!
The film has one of the best sound tracts that I’ve ever heard. The sound tract makes use of Renaissance Church must, so-called “Classical music” “cool” jazz and one of my favorites I (if not my favorite) pop standards—“My Funny Valentine” sung wonderfully by Matt Damon. The sound tract is gorgeous! What impressed me the most is that Matt Damon and Jude Law took the time to learn to really play the instruments that they were suppose to be playing in the film—Damon, the piano and Law the saxophone. One of my favorite scenes is in the smoked filled American-jazz nightclub--fabulous.
The recreation of 1950-era Italy is great and it is shot beautifully.
If you want to have an enjoyable film experience, buy this film