The Talented Mr. Ripley (2000, DVD)

Imagine being mistaken for someone else, and you knew that playing along with it could mean a much better life for you. That was the case with Tom Ripley, a young man struggling to get by in 1950s New York. When Tom (Matt Damon) is playing the piano to earn some money, he is mistaken for a Princeton University student by shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn).

Greenleaf assumes that Tom knew his Princeton-educated son Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), who had run off to Italy and was living the high life. On a whim the elder Greenleaf makes Tom a generous offer to travel to Italy and personally persuade Dickie to return home.

Once in Italy, Tom tracks down Dickie and his attractive girlfriend Marge Sherwood (Gwyneth Paltrow) with the intent to mooch off the wealthy young couple. It seems that Tom's own life is quite miserable, and he prefers to mimic and imitate others rather than improve his own lot in life. To Tom's delight he becomes friends with the couple as he worms his way into their lives.

Before long Tom knows his new friends a little too well for their liking, and envy and jealously flare out of control. Despite trying to play it cool, Tom makes it obvious that he wants a relationship with the wealthy and care-free Dickie that will never be realized, and the he then plots to forcibly take what he cannot have for himself.

The Talented Mr Ripley features several well-known actors, with Matt Damon taking top billing as Tom Ripley. He plays the part of a socially awkward underachiever quite well, although I thought the character was underwritten in the film. For example, one of his few ''talents'' was the ability to impersonate others. However, I was never terribly impressed with the character's abilities and he remained a jealous cheapskate at all times.

Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf really steals the show in this movie. He was perfectly cast as a care-free playboy who loves the good life and takes delights in all of Italy's treasures (especially her women). He perfectly portrays a young man who is friendly, fun-loving, but also extremely self-centered. And Law was rewarded with an Oscar nomination for his performance.

The two main women characters in the film are Paltrow as Dickie Greenleaf's girlfriend Marge, and Cate Blanchett playing Meredith Logue, an accidental friend of Tom Ripley's. Although Paltrow had far more screen time, I thought her performance was flat. But Blanchett was very memorable as a high-society young lady who was looking for love, but never having much luck.

The plot of this film starts out strongly and really keeps you guessing for quite a while. The real personalities of Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf are gradually exposed, and the main theme of the film (Ripley's deceit) is eventually laid bare. However, the plot then drags on and on with sub plots about one character's disappearance and extended scenes of Tom concocting plans of deceit and betrayal on others.

The cinematography in this film is very well done. There are beautiful shots of the Italian coastline, Rome, and scenic villages. The characters are often shot dressed in expensive clothes and jewelry, except for a couple nude scenes which seemed gratuitous.

The Talented Mr Ripley features mostly good acting, an interesting plot, and a beautiful setting in seaside Italy. In some ways I thought it was a good movie, but there are several uncanny coincidences used to advance the plot. And the center of the plot, Dickie and Tom's unlikely friendship, doesn t seem real. Despite the trickery of Damon's character, there doesn't seem to be anything that draws them together.

Overall I rate The Talented Mr Ripley as "Average". There are very good actors in the film, and it is somewhat entertaining. But the plots starts to drag and the characters get tiring when you know them better. I do recommend it, but don't make it your first choice when looking for a drama-type movie.

Rating: Violence, brief nudity.
Running Time: 2 Hours, 19 Minutes

trailhound. 2006.