The Talented Mr. Ripley
"A mesmerizing masterpiece of the unexpected!" -David Sheehan, CBS-TV
Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett electrify the screen in this riveting thriller from Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella (The English Patient). Matt Damon "gives one of the year's most extraordinary performances" (Premiere) as Tom Ripley, a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy American shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie (Law). Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend (Paltrow), plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies and murder.
Member Reviews
Work of fiction, and somewhat extreme in its depictions but the parallels in the world - moviemonger
The Talented Mr. Ripley takes us through a psychopathic journey that begins when a homosexual's love is spurned and he goes off on a killing spree. A lot of people found the gore in this film to be excessive and disturbing, but watching the film I was able to look beyond the actual violence and try to rationalise why Tom Ripley behaves the way he does. As I mentioned before, aside from the pacing, the movie is a dark look at the workings of friendship and love, and how jealousy and the desire to be accepted can take hold of one's emotions. Entangled within this complex web of relationships is the notion of hiding secrets, be it homosexual tendencies or murderous desires or just plain insecurity. I cannot help but sympathise, in a pitiable manner, with a character like Tom Ripley who must struggle to overcome the personality he's burdened with. Tom's clearly conflicted, but he is not strong enough to change the course of his life and accept happiness when it is presented to him---instead he behaves in a self-destructive manner (much the way abused people sometimes react to those who try to care about them). The Talented Mr. Ripley is a work of fiction, and somewhat extreme in its depictions but the parallels in the world (less extreme, but more really) are what is depressing.Hair-raising, titillating thriller - eyewitness
This is a fascinating and gripping film in which the viewer can’t help but experience it’s events from the perspective of Tom Ripley. Matt Damon portrays a very complicated and troubled character (Ripley) so believably that watching him you are tamed into thinking of his behaviour as rather more conflicted than sinister. Although Ripley does detestable things, one can’t help but identify with the guy and feel deep sympathy and empathy for him and for his desire to be someone else.
This movie doesn't move fast but does turn up the heat as Ripley goes further and further with is schemes, and what cool schemes they are! I was awed by Ripley’s talent of being able to impersonate just about anybody. His voice impersonations were chilling. Matt Damon is outstanding in this movie, playing an anti-hero the likes of which we have never seen before. Highly recommended.Creepy. Intense. Graceful. - cathyottawa
This movie is full of talented actors giving wonderful performances, including Gwenyth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jude Law.
Jude Law was nominated for an Oscar for his work.
But it's Matt Damon that absolutely steals the show. This was his break-out movie, and it shocked many that he wasn't nominated for an Oscar for his work here.
Damon plays Ripley, a sociopathic man with a talent for impersonation.
He gets a taste of the good life, and becomes obsessed with hanging onto it, going to extreme measures to keep his secrets, and continue the charade.
Damon gives a performance that's both heartbreaking and sickenning. This is a character with many layers, and Damon is successful in showing us the many sides of Mr. Ripley.
Point of interest - if you like this movie, you might want to check out Ripley's Game, in which John Malkovich plays the same character years later.
Member Reviews
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Work of fiction, and somewhat extreme in its depictions but the parallels in the world - moviemonger
The Talented Mr. Ripley takes us through a psychopathic journey that begins when a homosexual's love is spurned and he goes off on a killing spree. A lot of people found the gore in this film to be excessive and disturbing, but watching the film I was able ...Hair-raising, titillating thriller - eyewitness
This is a fascinating and gripping film in which the viewer can’t help but experience it’s events from the perspective of Tom Ripley. Matt Damon portrays a very complicated and troubled character (Ripley) so believably that watching him you are tamed into ...Creepy. Intense. Graceful. - cathyottawa
This movie is full of talented actors giving wonderful performances, including Gwenyth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Jude Law.
Jude Law was nominated for an Oscar for his work.
But it's Matt Damon that absolutely steals the show. This ...