Wednesday, July 30, 2008

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) R - 4½ Stars

I absolutely love this movie and it almost warrants a 5 rating. I love movies that mess with your head and this one does it, always one step ahead of you. The acting is great, the story great and I feel this is one you must own in your collection. Matt Damon enjoys the lifestyle of Dickie so much, he tries to take over his life.

It's the late 1950's and Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) is making a living in New York City as a men's room attendant, part time pianist and full time con artist who's falls into a life of deception by accident. Tom meets wealthy shipping tycoon Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn), who believes Tom's a Princeton student like his son was. The two begin to chat when Mr. Greenleaf offers Tom, $1,000 plus his expenses, to go to Italy and talk his son into returning home.

Meanwhile, off the coast of Italy, Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), and his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), are living it up in the Mediterranean, off of daddy's money. When Tom arrives in Italy and meets the couple, he grows extremely envious of Dickie and his lifestyle of leisure and pleasure. The closer Dickie and Tom become, the more Tom wants to stay and hang out. But when Dickie grows tired of Tom and sends him on his way, Tom impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. But just how long can he pull this off?

Awards include:

1999 - The Talented Mr. Ripley - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
1999 - The Talented Mr. Ripley - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Score

Paramount Vantage
Director: Anthony Minghella
Writer: Anthony Minghella
Producers: Tom Sternberg, William Horberg
I viewed 11/07

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