Review of The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) by Paulina R — 26 Mar 2009

Aside from some pointless tangents the movie likes to go on in its 1st and 2nd acts that really bog it down (140 minutes? Come on), this is really well made and very creepy at parts. I knew there'd be a Minghella (RIP) movie I'd enjoy (The English Patient still sucks, though).

Anyway, this is really beautiful in parts. The colors aren't as saturated as they were in Plein Soleil (the first adaptation of the novel), but it's made up for with the nice scenery. The editing by Walter Murch is beautiful too, as always.

No real complaints about the acting. Despite the fact that Cate Blanchett's character serves no purpose whatsoever (and I mean zero), she does a great job. Although Jude Law got an Oscar Nom for this, I really think Damon deserved it. He plays an almost twisted Clark Kent (a point the movie actually touches upon), shedding his bumbling, bespectacled exterior to reveal the chameleon Tom Ripley really is. I still enjoy Dennis Hopper's incarnation more (in The American Friend), but Damon's is equally sympathetic and slithery.

So, this version of this particular story is better, if not on par with Plein Soleil. They're very different movies, so I'd suggest checking both out. This version won't set the world aflame, but it's certainly worth your time, and you'll most likely be pleased by the end.