The Talented Mr. Ripley created quite a stir when it was released on December 12, 1999. Directed by Anthony Minghella, who was riding the success of his 1996 film The English Patient (a recipient of 9 Academy Awards), this book adaptation captivated audiences around the world. With a star-studded cast and a thrilling, complex, and sociopathic main character, this film is a must-watch.
The story centers around Tom Ripley, a struggling young man working as a piano tuner in the circle of wealthy elites. One day, while posing as a piano player and a Princeton graduate, Tom Ripley finds himself in conversation with a rich ship maker, Herbert Greenleaf. Mr. Greenleaf is upset with his rebellious and out-of-control son, Dickie Greenleaf, who has been living an overly indulgent life in Italy. Believing that Tom and Dickie were friends at a shared alma mater, Princeton, Mr. Greenleaf hires Tom to go to Italy and convince his son to return home. Tom accepts the job and ventures to Italy to befriend Dickie Greenleaf. Once there, Tom Ripley is consumed by envy of Dickie’s privileged life. The film follows Tom Ripley’s complicated relationship with Dickie and the upper class as he loses himself in a false identity.
Fans of this film compliment the director’s use of camera angle, lighting, and music to create a suspenseful storyline. In the words of Anthony Lane, a movie critic for The New Yorker, “The film feels warm but unsettled, as if hinting at approaching storms; the score, too, flits from lugubrious to manic.” Mentioning the score is essential to discussing this film. The vibrant and versatile score written by Gabriel Yared at times encapsulates the beauty and tranquility of the Italian seaside, and at other times, the danger and fear of a man manipulating all those around him. For this, Yared earned a nomination for Best Original Score at the Academy Awards.
Even if one is not attracted to thrillers, the beautiful aesthetics of this film could win over almost all audience members. The beauty of Italy is rivaled by the beauty of the cast, particularly Jude Law. Ed Potton of The Times says, “Has there been a more beautiful male star in the past 30 years than Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf?” The answer to this is no. With skin the color of olive oil and a charismatic personality, Jude Law is almost able to mask Dickie’s rotten interior with a tanned exterior. In fact, all the characters in this film share a similar depth. As lies and death ruin their lives, the characters confront their demons and the challenges they face in their relationships. This unraveling of everyone’s fears and desires ensures there is never a dull moment. My favorite characters are Freddie Miles, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Meredith Logue, played by Cate Blanchett. The former is perhaps the best actor in this film. Completely pulling off an utterly dislikable and obnoxious friend of Dickies. The latter, Meredith Logue, was added to the story in the film and is not present in Patricia Highsmith’s novel. Yet her character completes the story by introducing tension that is critical to its core.
Overall, this film should be added to everyone’s watchlist. With your closest friends and movie night snacks, you will enjoy 2 hours and 19 minutes on the edge of your seat, at times drawn into the beautiful characters and breathtaking shots, and at others with your hands over your eyes and your heart pounding in your ears.
