Alfred Hitchcock often unbalances us by presenting ordinary people in extraordinary situations and by blurring the lines between good and evil.
Anthony Minghella has done much the same here in his film translation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley. From the opening credits we are thrust inside Tom Ripley's thoughts with a sense of foreboding as he wishes that it all could be erased, including himself.
Matt Damon nails the Ripley role perfectly in 1999's most complex role. Damon plays Ripley as a likable, introverted young man who is adept at imitating others and playing a variety of roles. When a shipping tycoon thinks that Ripley knows his son from the 1956 Princeton class, he convinces him to travel to Italy to convince his son Dickie to return to New York.
Ripley goes, and falls in love with Italy and the leisurely lifestyle that Dickie (Jude Law) and girlfriend Marge (Gweneth Paltrow) enjoy. He also falls in love with Dickie. Ripley is having the time of his life, but Dickie grows tired of Tom and the plot grows very dark. Ripley makes full use of his chameleon-like talents during this time. After all "I'd rather be a fake somebody than a real nobody."
Minghella has done masterful work here. The scenery evokes the mood of La Dolce Vita in the 1950's, the film composition and editing are very tight and effectively done, and he has drawn outstanding performances from Damon and the supporting cast.
This film is not for everyone. Like Hitchcock, Minghella takes you on a filmic roller coaster ride from lightness and humor to darkness and brooding. Though nothing is explicit, the homoeroticism itself may turn off some movie patrons. Others will feel manipulated, as you are drawn very deeply into Ripley's character, and this is a very uncomfortable place to be--figuratively in the basement of the soul.
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a disturbing movie that will linger in your mind long after the final reel has ended. You will likely find that it will take a second viewing to catch the layered meanings and subtleties that Minghella has crafted within the film.
Anthony Minghella has done much the same here in his film translation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley. From the opening credits we are thrust inside Tom Ripley's thoughts with a sense of foreboding as he wishes that it all could be erased, including himself.
Matt Damon nails the Ripley role perfectly in 1999's most complex role. Damon plays Ripley as a likable, introverted young man who is adept at imitating others and playing a variety of roles. When a shipping tycoon thinks that Ripley knows his son from the 1956 Princeton class, he convinces him to travel to Italy to convince his son Dickie to return to New York.
Ripley goes, and falls in love with Italy and the leisurely lifestyle that Dickie (Jude Law) and girlfriend Marge (Gweneth Paltrow) enjoy. He also falls in love with Dickie. Ripley is having the time of his life, but Dickie grows tired of Tom and the plot grows very dark. Ripley makes full use of his chameleon-like talents during this time. After all "I'd rather be a fake somebody than a real nobody."
Minghella has done masterful work here. The scenery evokes the mood of La Dolce Vita in the 1950's, the film composition and editing are very tight and effectively done, and he has drawn outstanding performances from Damon and the supporting cast.
This film is not for everyone. Like Hitchcock, Minghella takes you on a filmic roller coaster ride from lightness and humor to darkness and brooding. Though nothing is explicit, the homoeroticism itself may turn off some movie patrons. Others will feel manipulated, as you are drawn very deeply into Ripley's character, and this is a very uncomfortable place to be--figuratively in the basement of the soul.
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a disturbing movie that will linger in your mind long after the final reel has ended. You will likely find that it will take a second viewing to catch the layered meanings and subtleties that Minghella has crafted within the film.