The Talented Mr. Ripley Reviews

Yes The Talented Mr Ripley is slow at times, but to me it is always absorbing and very rarely boring. The scenery is simply dazzling and really quite exotic, and the costumes and cinematography are gorgeous too. The music is superb, as is Anthony Minghella's direction. The story is very compelling with a number of interesting and well-handled scenes, while the script is both intelligent and thoughtful. The acting is excellent, Matt Damon does wonderfully in a difficult and perhaps controversial role, and Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Phillip Seymour Hoffmann are equally terrific. Overall, quite an excellent film. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I already saw this movie but since it was ages ago, I was quite eager to check it out again. Following his big success with 'The English Patient', Anthony Minghella came back 3 years later with this ambitious project and even though it was not such an overwhelming success like its predecessor, there was still a lot to enjoy about the damned thing. First of all, there was a very nice cast composed of up-and-coming young stars (Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett), plus the always dependable Philip Seymour Hoffman who stole the show everytime he was on the screen. Of course, one of the main attraction in this movie was the main character himself, Tom Ripley, a really fascinating guy, and I thought that Matt Damon, who just had his breakthrough a couple of years before with 'Good Will Hunting', did a fine job (and, after all these years, it is still one of his best performances so far). In fact, I think it is possible that Jude Law actually upstaged him playing Dickie Greenleaf but, anyway, they were both really good. On top of that, the whole thing looked quite gorgeous and Minghella managed to create a nice tense mood. What I also loved about this movie is that it is a basically a serial killer thriller but, in contrary to most of the movies in this genre, everything happening was actually plausible. There was also the fact that, even if Ripley was definitely talented, many characters actually didn’t fall for his schemes which made the whole thing even more fascinating to behold. I have to admit that, after all these years, I still haven’t watched ‘Plein Soleil’ which is considered by many as a much superior version and I should definitely watch it whenever I have the opportunity. Anyway, to conclude, even though it might not be a masterpiece, it is still a really good thriller and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

This was one of the first Mind Fuck movies I have ever seen, and I suppose that that is a huge reason why it's one of my all time favorites. Even though, let's face it, it is pretty mind boggling, at least that is how I did and still do perceive it. Just the sheer perversion of Matt Damon's character taken into consideration and there you have a fantastic movie. The setting and costumes and editing of the movie are also wonderful and make for a great viewing experience.

I ended up buying my first DVD player with the release of this film. Ripley has colored my life. Matt Damon was absolutely robbed of an Academy Award of this fantastic interpretation of the Patricia Highsmith mystery.

"I always thought it would be better, to be a fake somebody... than a real nobody."

Patricia Highsmith's novel of the same name was held in high regard in the literary world. Anthony Minghella (R.I.P), celebrated director of The English Patient, has made a terrific psychological thriller out of the already outstanding source material. The Talented Mr. Ripley subsists as a terrifically unique, mysterious drama/thriller assisted by a marvellous horde of actors and some exotic locations.

Initially set in late 1950's New York, the film introduces its audience to a young underachiever named Tom Ripley (Damon). Tom is talented at playing the piano in addition to possessing the skill to impersonate people, yet he is down on his luck. After playing the piano at an upper class garden party he meets the wealthy Herbert Greenleaf (Rebhorn): the father of recent Princeton graduate Dickie Greenleaf (Law). Herbert mistakes Tom for a recent graduate of Princeton University who also knew his son - and Tom lets Herbert believe it. Tom is offered $1,000 to travel to Italy and convince Herbert's son Dickie to return to New York. Down on his luck and with very little money, Tom reluctantly agrees. Upon arrival in Italy, Tom meets with Dickie who is in the company of cultured girlfriend Marge (Paltrow). Dickie is a rich boy with inclination for nothing more than sailing his yacht, masquerading as a playboy and spending time with Marge. Following a few initial meetings, Tom grows an attachment to Dickie and Marge: he is fond of their style of living and develops a mad obsession for Dickie. Tom begins compounding lies, fundamentally assuming the identity of Dickie Greenleaf.

Director Minghella expertly creates three quarters of an excellent movie, with the concluding segment transforming into a complex amalgamation of typical clichés with little to sustain one's interest. This can also be attributed to the film's length - it seems the screenwriter was incapable of upholding any further appeal from limited subject matter. Of course, the subject matter is fascinating by all accounts; however it lost its overall appeal with gross over-length and sluggish screenwriting.

Screenplay flaws aside, The Talented Mr. Ripley is overall somewhat staggering to watch. Anthony Minghella is an expert at the helm of a thriller. This essentially Hitchcockian thriller is occasionally very exhilarating with strong directing and outstanding performances in addition to gorgeous scenery and an elegant setting to boot.

Matt Damon became a household name with Good Will Hunting. Triggering elements of his brilliant portrayal in that earlier film, Damon is in one of his best performances to date. I don't think we've ever seen Damon with this level of vigour or intricacy surrounding him. He is supported by a number of equally excellent performers. Cate Blanchett once again displays her amazing skills as an actress. The film also flaunts great performances from Jude Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Law and Hoffman do a fine job in convincing us of the playboyish nature of their characters. Gwyneth Paltrow's portrayal is moderate. Paltrow is a mediocre actress still incapable of painting an entirely convincing character portrait.

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a fine psychological thriller boasting a wonderful ensemble of excellent actors. Some have called this a Hitchcock production of the 90s. I strongly agree. Matt Damon's ability to represent a human leach is amazing at times, proven by the scenes when I actually had sympathy for him. There are scenes of utter shock and dismay, but it is the engulfing build to the inevitable murder and mayhem that grabs you. By all accounts this film is by no means perfect due to some problems in the screenwriting department; however this is a thriller definitely worth checking out.

"I always thought it'd be better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody."

This is really amazing drama film, supported by an fantastic cast and story. It's kind of a mystery thriller as well when you think about it.

Matt Damon is Tom Ripley, one of the most complex and mysterious characters I've ever seen Matt play. In this film Mr. Ripley borrows a Princeton jacket, and soon he is talking with the father of a recent graduate from Princeton. He is then asked by the father to travel to Italy to bring his son back. So Tom Ripley goes to Europe and pretends to know Dickie Greenleaf, soon the two become friends. But after some events it's Tom Ripley who goes to extreme lengths to take Dickie's lifestyle and use it for himself.

Matt Damon, like I said before, played a complex character with mystery surrounding him. We see the whole movie through the eyes of Tom Ripley, so this was a very strong character. Matt Damon played him exceptionally well and I just can't imagine another actor as Tom Ripley. Jude Law was brilliant as always, I just wish he was in the movie for longer. Philip Seymour Hoffman was pretty damn good for his role, kind of funny in a way that his character didn't really care for anything or anyone. He was himself and it worked perfectly. I loved Jack Davenport's character, he was a stand out actor for me in this movie.

Really worth seeing if you haven't already. A nice, entertaining and complex film that had my attention from the opening credits to it's mysterious end. A must see.