IMDB Rating: 7.10, 37955 votes |
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The 1950s. Manhattan lavatory attendant, Tom Ripley, borrows a Princeton jacket to play piano at a garden party. When the wealthy father of a recent Princeton grad chats Tom up, Tom pretends to know the son and is soon offered $1,000 to go to Italy to convince Dickie Greenleaf to return home. In Italy, Tom attaches himself to Dickie and to Marge, Dickie's cultured fiancée, pretending to love jazz and harboring homoerotic hopes as he soaks in luxury. Besides lying, Tom's talents include impressions and forgery, so when the handsome and confident Dickie tires of Tom, dismissing him as a bore, Tom goes to extreme lengths to make Greenleaf's privileges his own.Actors
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28 Comments
very disturbing, but lovely vistas of italian riviera
I liked this movie. Reminded me of trips to Europe. This is old Europe, but has not changed much in the last century. Mr. Ripley is terribly enticing. Everyone wants to know him, to love him, to befriend him. And he does not deal well with this, leading to mystery and danger at every step. One feels like a voyeur along with him and watching him, but pitying him as well.
Well crafted, a little unfocused
I’m wondering what was the point of introducing the title character’s talent at vocal mimicry? Needed to be a little tighter, maybe a little faster, but not a bad movie.
Too Long, Too Boring
Worth seeing
Plot: 9
Originality: 6
Visuals: 6
Acting: 7
Overall: 7
not your average ‘hero’ - suspenseful in parts, but seemed overly long
I tried reading the book and I got bored. The movie made me more bored.
I was drawn to this movie for so many reasons- the biggest being my love of old-school Italy and following close second is my love for Matt Damon. Old-school, new school, doesn’t matter. He’s a brilliant chameleon and does this movie wonders.
Damon is Tom Ripley, a complex yet simple young good-looking guy who embodies what we all want- things we can’t have. He’s incredibly vulnerable and at the same time untouchable.
Jude Law is perfect as Dickie Greenleaf, the playboy son of a wealthy boatyard owner, and the object of Ripley’s eye. Dickie showers his affections and friendship on Ripley, who becomes entirely too clingy, but when Dickie tries to pull away, problems lie in wait for all those involved.
Gwenyth Paltrow also stars as Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge. More importantly her character represents the only person involved who can see past Ripley’s facade and into his lies- and suspects him of murdering Dickie.
This film addresses issues that sometimes we’re too proud to suggest to ourselves- we want things that we can’t have, we’re jealous of people who possess the things that we don’t. The difference with Ripley and the rest of us is that most of the general public won’t go to the lengths that Ripley does to attain the life that he wants.
Certain scenes within the movie capture so many different feelings in a few seconds. Rome is not a place to tour alone- it’s the city of romance, after all- but Ripley is abandoned by Dickie and is left to wander the city alone. You can’t help but feel sorry for him.
Another scene that plays well with Damon’s ability to show his characters’ vulnerabilities takes place that night while singing and dancing in his boxer shorts and Dickie’s blazer and tie- I love the expression on his face, his first reaction to go behind the full-length mirror and hide essentially who he is from Dickie.
Watch how easily Ripley falls into the wealthy lifestyle of Dickie, becoming who he is, living the life he always dreams of. Pay attention to how little remorse he has over the events that have transpired, but his fear of having his cover blown.
Another one of my favorite actors, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, plays an instrumental part in the movie. He is able to see who Ripley really is and pushes Ripley dangerously close to the edge in the matter of exposing his lies.
Also pay attention to the relationship between Ripley and Dickie- Ripley essentially causes the demise of the friendship when he lets his true feelings be known in a pretty classy chess scene.
Patricia Highsmith originally wrote the story with three installments- but I wouldn’t be surprised if only one made it to the big screen, which is the way it should be.
All in all, two thumbs up- the movie left me feeling perplexed and sympathetic, and that’s a good thing!
quite boring in places. alright overall.
Dam, the kid was messed up.
A little creepy and a bit slow, but a good movie over all.
there’s a lot to like about it but matt’s acting wasn’t believable at all
Interesting twists, a little slow, but different from the norm
Thought it would be good but would have spent my cash on somthing else
A fascinating study.
This is a film that deserves to be seen. It is a study of humanity at its worst but ironically you can’t help but really like the ‘hero’.
Matt Damon is at his understated best here.
extremely well done
Awful, Un-talented, Un-Believable, Un-Realistic, FreakShow, Save your Money
This movie was touted as the best movie of the year by experts in the industry? I’d like to know who is paying them off. And then the viewer’s who liked this movie, it was complete garbage. Ok, the scenery was good, ok fine, but a good movie needs a good plot, actors that can act out this plot, and a believable premise and conclusion. It would have been easy to make this movie a hit. 1st, Provide TALENT for the main character which would then justify the title. 2nd, A believable plot, premise, and conclusion. This movie could have worked in every other way except this one. 3rd, drop the GAY stuff, I think we’ve had enough. It’s not my fault there is these kinds of people, nor is it my responsibility, nor do I have to be tricked into watching it. (Which is what happened to those who went to the movie before seeing any reviews. Which is a strategy many use to fully enjoy a movie, but definitely not this one.)
What’s amazing is all the suckers that have gone along for the ride with this film. Come on. Ripley was extremely UN-Talented. The very few things this character accomplishes is nothing different than any petty criminal could and would think up. Next, what happened to the love interest? Oh yeah, it was a guy. Do not walk, run from this movie and keep your hard earned cash.
Enough said, save your money.
scavenger
Beautiful scenery, thought provoking story and, who knew, Matt Damon can act.
quite outstanding work from Matt Damon. Suspenseful and thoughtful……
Not Fred & Ginger but interesting
A very poor attempt @ a independent film look from a holllywoood company
Matt Damon has neither the acting ability nor personal depth of character to portray a talented mr. ripley. The entire movie is a whining display of homophobic neuroticism from an underachieving low class (Matt Damon)wannabe psychopath. This movie would have better been served by a believable homosexual rather than a confused child.
Damon’s Talent in ample view in "Ripley"
How does one comprehend the chameolonic Mr. Tom Ripley’s actions, and his desires to be someone else by any means necessary? Is it an attraction to the posh lifestyle of his new friend, Dickie , or a need to come to terms with his own identity? Director Anthony Minghella’s adaptation of Patricia Hightsmith’s 1955 crime novel is as smooth and clever as the titled character, a thrilling, masterfully told thriller - an exemplary character study of deception and lies, and of an identity crisis in turmoil.
Matt Damon plays the youthful Ripley, whom we see at the beginning of the film playing the piano at a reception wearing a Princeton University jacket. He catches the eye of a wealthy New York ship magnate (James Rebhorn), who falsely assumes that Ripley went to college with his son, Dickie, considering that Ripley’s jacket is emblazoned with a Class of ‘56 patch. Under false pretenses, Ripley is asked by Dickie’s father to fly out to Italy to bring back his son, who is living the high life with his girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Once Ripley arrives in Italy and meets Dickie, he is introduced to a glamorous world of lavish parties, concerts, beaches, and hot jazz clubs. Dickie (Jude Law) is a difficult man to get to know, but he is immensely likable and full of energy. His girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow) likes everyone, and takes a liking to Ripley who is the total opposite of Dickie. But slowly Ripley falls in love, and Dickie is the man he adores and wants to be - Marge and a snobbish friend of Dickie’s (Philip Seymour Hoffman) are merely distractions in Ripley’s fantasy world.
"The Talented Mr. Ripley" weaves its story and characters smoothly like a snake, and the slow pace exemplifies its creepy atmosphere - we get the sense that Ripley’s intentions or goals are unclear throughout the film. What does he want with Dickie, and will he help Dickie’s father or does he begin to see himself as Dickie? And who in fact is Ripley? Sure, he is a talented piano player and a gifted mimic, but who is the real Ripley?
Excluding "Good Will Hunting," I have not cared for Matt Damon as an actor, especially in the cartoonish funk called "Dogma." In the guise of Thomas Ripley, Damon finally finds a character as complex, mischievous and duplicitious as anything he’s ever managed to play before. One moment he is a smiling simpleton who seems utterly harmless, the next moment he’s a conniving, amoral, two-faced murderer. The transition is brilliantly executed by Damon and he makes us hold our breath during every moment he is on screen - we are never sure how he is going to react. And to Damon’s credit, he makes Ripley sympathetic, and there were moments when I was tense and scared for him, since his murderous ways could be uncovered.
Jude Law, who played the cyber hero in David Cronenberg’s "eXistenZ," displays an interesting range for his character - a devious, devilish grin that masks his own insecurities about getting close to people, and displays a gradual tempermental attitude toward Ripley. Law looks like he belongs in the past, and think of how well he could have fit in any of Hitchcock’s thrillers, especially "Rope" or "Strangers on a Train." If Law did not utter a syllable, he would still be a commanding presence on screen, so let’s hope Oscar nominations are in the running.
Gwyneth Paltrow turns in a surprisingly credible and intelligent performance, her best turn since "Hard Eight." Though the role is somewhat thankless and similar to the awful "A Perfect Murder," she gives the character, Marge, more weight and nuance than expected. She is amorous, lovable but she also is suspicious of Ripley, though she does love him as a friend. Paltrow slowly shows irritation at seeing Ripley everywhere she goes, especially after Dickie mysteriously disappears. It is a superb performance overall - I’d rather hand her an Oscar for this mature role than for her Oscar gold in "Shakespeare in Love."
Director Anthony Minghella, who previously helmed "The English Patient," follows Hitchcock’s golden rule of psychological thrillers - to make us care for the characters enough that we feel for their safety, even for a murderer like Ripley. And no secret is made about Ripley, we know what he is and what he is capable of and so Minghella makes us wonder what will happen next. He also shows us the decor and atmosphere of Italy in all its splendor, and all the sights will make you wish you were there along with Ripley, Marge and Dickie.
Tightly structured and suspense built on characters motivations (what a rarity nowadays), "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a masterpiece in the best tradition of Hitchcock. And there is a sense of emotional doom when Ripley discovers that he is not aware of his own identity, and may continue searching for any kind of identification. Brimming with vital supporting turns by Cate Blanchett, Philip Baker Hall and Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Talented Mr. Ripley" is a uniquely great film - it may leave you with a bitter taste but you won’t soon forget it. Now that takes talent.
worth seeing just for the scenery - and the shots of italy are good, too! :>
the movie dragged some, but the story was good and twisted!!! i kept wondering when ripley’s actions would catch up with him, and it leaves you wondering what else he would have gotten away with if the movie had been another 2 hours long. i’ve heard good and bad reviews of this movie, but i thought it was a solid "good"; not great, but good.
disappointing story, great everything else
Excellent commentary on human nature. could have dragged a little less though.
I felt the story had alot to say about the people that we pretend to be. They went a little over board in the middle but in the end I walked away very glad to have seen it in the theater.
dark, twisted, suspenseful, disturbing
jude law shines just as he did in gattaca, and of course, damon and paltrow are no wallflowers. altho it is a longer film, i believe it is worth seeing. damon as ripley struggles to become move than a ‘nobody’ with his newly found rich friends, and after a crime of passion, attempts to steal greenleaf’s (jude law’s) identity. unfortunately, despite his ‘talents’ he needs to kill more and more people to maintain this charade, and nearly justifies his acts in his own mind. worth watching if you like the dark suspense thriller films.
Depressing movie with a bad plot that never ends
After watching several people get up and leave the theater, I was tempted to do the same. However, I found myself sitting there waiting for it to get better, hoping that the all star cast would turn it around. It does have some fairly entertaining comic relief and an interesting homosexual message about self expression, but I would not recommend this movie to anyone who didn’t want to waste the absorbent price that movie theaters charge these days.
very well acted. all in all a little long, but worth seeing
at times, seemed to drag on!!