The Talented Mr. Ripley (DVD, 2000, Sensormatic)

Pros: Jude Law's stellar performance, Gwyneth Paltrow, and an all-star cast.

Cons: Jude Law's character dies halfway through the movie

After finishing this movie, it will be clear that the director thought this was a Matt Damon vehicle, a showcase of his "range". I heartily disagree. Damon seems uneasy in this hefty role, and doesn't come across menacing enough to make the Ripley believable. (John Malkovich reprises the Ripley role in "Ripley's Game 2002 and does a much better job). However, Damon isn't bad in this role, and the fantastic all-star supporting cast carries this film from beginning to... about halfway. We audience grows to admire and even sympathize with Dickie Greenleaf (a narcicistic playboy I guess we were supposed to hate), and the film's early fault is that Greenleaf is Ripley's first victim. With Dickie out of the picture, I was left slightly saddened, and the movie clearly lost most of the punch and suspense it had during the first half.

While a few things went wrong here, it's important to point out what went right. The costumes and score capture the essence of the 1950's quite well, and I was blown away by how realistic everything looked, right down to the old and beautiful Italian lira (used prior to Italy's transition to the Euro). Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and James Rephorn round out the star-studded supporting cast. Everyone (short of Damon) is quite believable in their roles, and the story trods along quite well during the first hour of the movie. It's the second act where things begin to unravel, but the story never quite completely loses itself, so by the end of the film you're left quite pleased you made the investment. It's only in retrostpect that I write this review and add in the negative commentary. Losing myself for 2+ hours on a rainy Saturday with a bag of popcorn to this movie was enjoyable, and I give it 4 stars.