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The Talented Mr. Ripley Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 66 Reviews)

"Tom is not a nobody," says Peter.
And I believe him.

I sympathized with Tom, as I suspect most viewers do, despite his sociopathic nature. I was only sad about one of his murder victims - Peter. Some of the others become so cocky, sickeningly uppity, that you can't wait for them to get off the screen. You want Tom to win. He is the underdog, after all, and people get tired of seeing the same sort of people (i.e. Dickie) win over and over again, especially if they don't make much of an effort. And Dickie is a prime example of someone who doesn't have to work but gets everything handed to him, and he doesn't even seem grateful for it. Spoiled. You know the type.

In a way, Tom reminds me of Vincent, Ethan Hawke's character from Gattaca. Both are very ambitious. Doing anything and everything to fit in with the "upper class/superior society," desperately trying to cover their tracks, obsessed with getting all the details just right..because the consequences of being found out would be disastrous. Both are fascinating characters but Tom is the one that intrigues me the most. He's so cold with that sick, sly smile on his face - you can't help but wonder what he's plotting, what twisted images he's conjured up.

But Tom was a jealous, mad murderer, and Vincent was acting more out of revenge for society's prejudices against the genetically inferior. One could say that Tom was acting out of revenge as well...revenge for having been born poor when he would rather be of the idle rich class, taking advantage of the best things in life. His self-esteem is so low that he has to pretend to be a dead person in order to feel fulfilled - and I don't think he'll ever be completely fulfilled. He'll always be looking over his shoulder, and a rich identity will not cure unhappiness and the void inside.

Italy was a beautiful setting for this movie, adding more culture and depth than many other places, I think. That particular aura of all things foreign helped set the mood to something alluring and dark..

Matt Damon's best film.

Brilliant, Hitchcockian Thriller
This is one of the best thrillers in recent years. The story centers on Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) who comes to Italy to befriend Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) and persuade him to come back to the U.S. (at the wishes of Greenleaf's father). Soon, Ripley becomes immersed in Greenleaf's style and doesn't want to leave. Identity swapping, lying, and murder ensue.

What's great about the movie is how you identify with Tom Ripley even as he does many evil things. The story also highlights great truths about social class, gender, and identity.

The cast is exceptional--Matt Damon and Jude Law are the best. And the look of the film is wonderful. If you buy/rent the DVD, be sure to check out the commentary by director Anthony Minghella, which is like a film class. Minghella highlights how he uses performances, shots, music, editing, and backgrounds to highlight the many themes in the movie.

Thrilling!!!
I have to start by saying I've never had such a physical reaction to a movie, like I had with this one! As the film progressed, I found myself sweating profusely, my stomach in knots! This is all due to the anticipation (or apprehention?) I felt waiting for Tom Ripley to be exposed as a fraud for impersonating his rich former-friend Dickie Greenleaf! Just when you think Tom will finally fall flat on his face and be completely exposed as a criminal, he lands on his feet. Either due to lots of luck or his own quick thinking! It's this anticipation/apprehension of waiting to see Ripley's ultimate humilation that had me in knots and sweating on pins and kneedles.

What an excellent actor Matt Damon is, conveying every emotion the sociopath Ripley felt. From charming and sweet, to hurt and vulnerable, to ammoral self-preservation. Jude Law is perfect as spoiled, rich, party/playboy Dickie Greenleaf. Gwyneth is like-wise perfection as his likeable, clueless girlfriend who ends up knowing more than anyone else (who's left living)! Philip Seymour-Hoffman, as Dickie's sharp-as-a-tack, obnoxious pal steals the thunder from anyone else in a scene with him! Freddie is the un-likable smarty who has Tom Ripley pegged from the second he lays eyes on him! Freddie is street-wise old-money. His kneedling, sarcastic comments directed at Tom had me watching those scenes over and over again.

The movie as a whole is excellent, but the ending didn't completely satisfy me. Although I can just imagine what would happen next (to Meredith, who still thinks Tom is Dickie). I've never read the book the film is based on, I'm tempted to do so. Hopefully the book ties up some loose strings?

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