Rating: 
Summary: A Daring, Beautifully Done Film!
Review: I wasn't quite sure what to think of "The Talented Mr. Ripley" the first time I saw it. So, not hating the movie and working solely on logic, I went back a week later and watched it again. This is the type of movie that perpetually gets better. It is a daring, beautiful film that is very unique for the Hollywood of today as is molds suspense, drama, beauty, and the strong essence of homosexuality into a rather disturbing, brilliantly provocative showcase. There is nothing else like it, and the cast is absolutely fabulous. Matt Damon is perfectly cast as Tom Ripley, and plays the part so convincingly that it's quite scary. While watching Damon as Ripley, you're compelled to feel empathy for him despite what he does throughout the course of the movie. He's touching, sincere, and hiding from who he really is, which I can completely understand. Damon's performance here is one of the most Oscar-worthy I've seen yet. Gwenyth Paltrow is also quite good in the role of Marge as she gradually takes an emotional fall throughout the film, taking the audience with her. By the end of the film, there is nothing left of the bright, cheery Gwenyth we THOUGHT we knew. There's only a shadow by the time "Ripley" is over, which proves that Paltrow has great talent to take that leap. Absolutely superb! Jude Law is perfectly - and I do mean PERFECTLY - cast as Dickie, Ripley's obsession. Law has just the right bit of charisma and sensibility and, quite frankly, sexiness. Why wouldn't Ripley be obsessing about him? Cate Blanchett, who I love, also has a part here as a significant character that seems to parallel that of Marge's. Blanchett is fantastic, as always, although I almost wish we could see more of her awesome ability in this film. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is also wonderfully cast as Dickie's pretentious and overprotective friend. Hoffman eats up the role like no other actor could, and tends to steal every scene he's in just because of the sheer intensity of his character. Also, the little-mentioned Jack Davenport has a small role here as well and he does quite well portraying one of Marge's friends and a potential lover of Ripley's. It's a difficult role that plays significantly into the rest of the film and I have a high admiration for Davenport. Now, with a cast like this that is so good, how is it possible to pass up "The Talented Mr. Ripley"? The answer to that is simple - it's not!
Rating:
Summary: Why isn't this movie rated higher?
Review: I hate it when good movies get bad ratings...While I guess this ISN'T a movie for everyone's taste it still is quite good and quite disturbing...Since I finished watching it in the early AM last night I haven't been able to get it out of my head. And the pictures of Mr. Ripley's triumphs and tragedies. Personally I NEVER thought Matt Damon could act, nor had I EVER seen him act. It was a *little* assumption I made that he was just a "Novelty" actor, but QUITE on the contrary!!! Man he plays Tom Ripley to perfection making me forget that he is Matt Damon and is INDEED Mr. Ripley. This movie disturbed me sooooo MUCH and I'm sure that was the point of it for the most part. I guess it makes you think to I mean, when is enough REALLY enough? When you've cut someones head open? Or perfected their signature, or become that person...Obsession is certainly deadly. One of my favorite's "Jude Law" was *GREAT*.! I think he was Oscar nominated, and well deserved at that. Gwyneth Paltwow did very well as well. Though I seldom agree with critics, the editorial review above is correct about the casting its GREAT.! Just watch this movie, and don't set your expectations to high, just like with anything. But then again if you do and they're NOT let down then you'll know if its TRULY good or not. But then again sometimes you can even set your standards to high for the best things in life. Anyways just go see it, it scared the bajeezes out of me, its a very good psycological thriller. Its disturbing to the VERY END...You're never quite sure what Mr. Ripley will do next... God Bless ~Amy
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Movie
Review: This is the best movie ever! It doesn't get better than this! Watch out if you don't like bloooooooooooooood!
Rating: 
Summary: Stolen Moments
Review: Matt Damon gives a great performance in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY. He plays Tom Ripley, a devious person who by chance, he assumes someone else's identity. He is then hired by a wealthy bussinessman (James Rebhorn) to track down his estranged son,"Dickie" (Jude Law), in Italy. When he arrives, he is instantly taken with Dickie's extravagant lifestyle and girlfriend Marge, (Gwyneth Paltrow) and to have it all at any cost. Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman co-star as people who may threaten to expose Ripley's plan. Based on Patricia Highsmith's novel, directed by Anthony Minghella, the movie is nearly flawless. Damon really did a 180 here as Tom. His performance is calculating and multilayered (as is the character) which is pitch perfect. Law gives an Oscar nominated performance and has a great time as a rich playboy. I was a little surprised though, at how seemingly out her element Paltrow seemed at times, in an uneven part. Special mention must be made of the rich cinematography by John Seale. Italy looks great here. The use of soft lighting and lenses really make everything stand out amidst understated practices. The DVD has more extras than most released by Paramount. The commentary track from Minghella is pretty solid. It also includes cast and crew interviews, a "making of" featurette, 2 music videos with Damon and Law, and the theatrical traillers. All of this makes for a good DVD. If you have never seen this film, what are you waiting for? If you have seen the film, and liked it, then the movie belongs in your collection. Recommended for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr. Ripley
Review: I am not a huge fan of the Matt Damon-Ben Affleck-Gwyneth Paltrow triumvirate. Paltrow comes off as a ditz in most of her films, her entire repertoire consisting of a coy grin (like Julia Roberts). Affleck does not know how to act, as I have watched him bring down entire films like "Chasing Amy" and "Reindeer Games." He cowrote an Oscar winning script, he just cannot pick one to star in. Damon comes off best of the three. His Will Hunting was very good, and I think he has more acting talent in his toothy grin than Robert Redford does in his entire weathered body. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is Damon's film. He should get kudos for playing the kind of part (gay psycho) that most heart throbs whose careers are stalled on the WB would never even consider. This is a brave followup to "Good Will Hunting." Damon is hired by a wealthy ship builder to go to Italy to retrieve his spoiled son (played by Jude Law). Law is partying it up with girlpal Paltrow and another rich expatriate Hoffman. Things go awry when Damon wants to be like Law so bad he murders him and assumes his identity, with former friends and police hot on his trail. Anthony Minghella does a better job directing than scripting here. Sure, nice Italian scenery (not many directors could foul that up), but the moments of violence are still shocking, and the cinematography is perfect. His script, however, is bland. All of his "society" characters are bland. Ripley's motivations and obvious mental illness just never gel. I always got the sense that Damon was told to hold back, when in fact intelligent psychotic killers have been around on film for years. The movie should have been right at two hours, instead of the protracted ending on the boat (with literally a handful of shots where I expected the credits to roll). Cate Blanchett's character also defies logic, as her character pops up to complicate Ripley's life about three times too often. Damon, and an oily Phillip Seymour Hoffman are excellent. Jude Law lets his accent slip a bit here and there, but is good. Paltrow plays a socialite extremely well, and all the beautiful people are surrounded by beautiful scenery. I recommend this film, especially over Minghella's leaden "The English Patient." This was rated (R) for physical violence, some gore, profanity, some male nudity, some sexual content, some sexual references, and some adult situations.
Rating: 
Summary: Wake me up when its over...
Review: First of all, I let me just tell you that I did NOT like this film. It was tedious. Matt Damon did a good job with his role as did most of the actors in this film but that didn't save it. The plot was apparently based on the concept of boring the audience to tears and in that respect it suceeded. I went with a large group of people and only one person liked the film. Also, as we were leaving the theatre, everyone was complaining that they sat through this. Rent it first and if you actually see something that I didn't, then buy.
Rating:
Summary: What A Nail Biter!
Review: I have never seen Matt more scary than in this movie. Jude Law was just fantastic. If you like thrillers, then you definitely will want this one. I never tire of watching it over.
Rating:
Summary: On my Top Ten List for 1999
Review: I really liked The Talented Mr. Ripley, but it is only right to mention that opinions on it has been greatly divided. I thought it was one of the best movies of 1999, and the year's best thriller. The movie is as sleek as a panther and as polished as marble. Perhaps it is it's odd combination of the cold and calculating versus the warm and loving that puts some viewers off, because they are not given a paint by numbers picture of where to place their emotions. Tom Ripley [Matt Damon] is a very bright young man. He is quite ambitious but has no money to make his dreams happen. One day he is hired to play piano at a posh New York wedding reception. A wealthy guest, Herbert Greenleaf [James Rebborn], is taken by Tom's charming manner and by the fact that Tom is wearing a Princeton blazer. Herbert incorrectly assumes Tom went to college there. In fact, the blazer is borrowed, but clever Tom plays along. Herbert soon offers him $1,000 to go to Italy to try to convince his playboy son, Dickie [Jude Law] to come home. Dickie did go to Princeton. Tom accepts. That was a large sum of money in 1958, the year the movie takes place. As he gets off the boat in Italy, he meets Merideth Logue [Cate Blanchette], a wealthy, amiable American heiress with no particular ambitions, except, I assume, to marry. Since the rich stick together, especially in 1958, she is attracted to Tom, in part because she thinks is rich Dickie Greenleaf. She will play a pivotal role later in the picture. A few days later, Tom spots Dickie on the beach with the beautiful Marge Sherwood [Gwyneth Paltrow], his fiance. When he introduces himself, he says they were together at Princeton. Dickie, of course, doesn't recognize him. Tom certainly wasn't in Dickie's wealthy clique, but it's a big school. Soon Tom is very much a part of the couple's lives. Though Dickie always is suspicious of Tom's origins, he thinks he is a lot of fun. Tom let's slip the fact that he shares Dickie's passion for jazz, and they become fast friends. In truth, Tom, who likes classical music, boned up on jazz before he left New York. Dickie becomes more than just a friend to Tom, who is gay or at least bisexual. The first time I saw the movie, I assumed Dickie was, too, because of his mannerisms. The second time I came to believe he was much too pretty boy with a touch of narcissism who liked women. Still, all the guessing is part of the charming enigmatic quality of the film. I don't want to spoil the plot. I will say that when old classmate, Freddie Miles [Philip Seymour Hoffman] arrives, there's trouble brewing. The prissy, snobbish Freddie is not only suspicious of Tom, he doesn't like him at all. And when Tom's charm and good looks don't work, what is he to do? You have to say, "What a cast!" The four leads are collectively perhaps the most honored young actors today. Damon, along with Ben Affleck, won the best screenplay Oscar for Good Will Hunting in 1998. Paltrow won Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love last year, while Blanchette at the same time was nominated for Elizabeth and should have won. Law got a Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Talented Mr. Ripley. The movie got six nominations, including one for director Anthony Minghella, who won in 1997 for The Talented Mr. Ripley. Some of the criticism of the movie is understandable. Understatement is out of fashion in films today, and ambiguity is not tolerated. Tom Ripley's personality is deliberately ambiguous. Patricia Highsmith, who authored the book the movie is based on, wrote him that way fifty years ago. The film adds characters, and in the book, Marge isn't Dickie's fiance. She's just a friend who feels far more for him than he does for her. Still, in this case, the movie becomes great in its own right. Because most of it takes place in the tourist areas of Italy, some viewers forget that it's taking place forty years ago. They think the characters actions are odd, but I can assure you that they are authentic for that time period. It's too slow, almost cumbersome for some people. I didn't find it that way at all, but this is a matter of personal taste. Some felt the ending, which is different from the book, was vague. In real life, Highsmith went on to write several more Tom Ripley adventures, and the movie remains faithful to the author's aims. Finally, some viewers don't seem to understand Tom's motive. I can assure you that it's in the movie, but it's just one line near the end. "I always thought it was better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody." To me, for certain ambitious types, that's all the motive that's needed.
Rating:
Summary: A beautiful effort that falls just short of greatness
Review: "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is built upon a fascinating, but terribly flawed, premise: disguised in a Princeton jacket, Tom Ripley is asked by one Mr. Greenleaf to go to Italy and bring back his son Dickie (fascinating). The speed with which Greenleaf trusts Ripley nearly breaks the sound barrier (flawed). This uneven beginning is a microcosm of the rest of the film. Essentially a story about taking over the persona of someone else, writer/director Anthony Minghella goes a tad overboard with his imagery. Populated by more mirrors than you'd find in an average funhouse, "Ripley" never lets you forget that Tom and Dickie are two halves of the same whole, or, rather, that that is Tom's ultimate wish. It's never more effectively and obviously expressed than in a scene on a train. While Dickie is asleep, Tom uses the reflection in the window to ape the famous shot from Bergman's "Persona" where two faces seem to melt together as one (this is the second movie I've reviewed this week to copy this shot, the other being "Mulholland Drive"; also, it's mocked in Woody Allen's "Love and Death"). Throw in the Saul Bass-ian fractured title sequence, and, yes Anthony, we see personality fragmented all over this picture. But, just when you think Minghella's bag of tricks is plentiful but shallow, he composes a shot in the cover of a grand piano, after Ripley has made a particularly important decision. He is seen in the piano's reflection, and when he walks away, the curve of the cover makes him seem to split in two. It's subtlety and ingeniousness knocked me out. See what I mean about the film's unevenness? (Minghella further shows his thoughtfulness on the DVD's commentary track; he is learned, intelligent, witty, and thorough in allowing us some insight into his filmmaking choices) The actor's are uniformly excellent. Matt Damon, wearing ugly horn-rimmed glasses which I suspect are meant to play Clark Kent to his Superman's smile, gets Tom's social awkwardness just right, has a fun time showing off his gifts as a mimic, and doesn't shy away from the character's repressed (for the time being) homosexuality. Damon, who's usually a very mannered actor, is so in many moments here too. But he does let his hair down most of the time, going full-force in to Ripley's pathos. Gwyneth Paltrow, luminous as usual, plays emotions that run the gamut from felicity to fear, with a touch of utopian ennui thrown in. Philip Seymour Hoffman, who has a knack for stealing entire movies if he's given only a few scenes, steals the entire movie in only a few scenes. Minghella gives Hoffman a grand entrance, driving a red Ferrari through a flock of bird, and Hoffman delivers the boorish gusto that makes the scene work so well. Cate Blanchett, in what could have been a very unforgiving role (ignorant rich girl), milks melancholy from Meredith that's not in the script, and gives her some intelligence to boot. Jude Law, who's made a living playing the ultimate object of both male and female desire, reaches the apex of his career here. Dickie Greenleaf, the spoiled, Princeton-educated son of an American shipping magnate, has one true talent of his own: spending papa's dough in lush Italy. Law, lithe and lovely, is a marvel when he's on screen, and even more so when he's not. The movie sags during his absence, a point that's probably intentional. We are made to desire Dickie as much as Tom does. It's a tricky proposition for a film to make, to have so much of its momentum hinge on one character's presence. And when Tom finally takes over Dickie's identity, making Dickie ultimately expendable, the film can't help but run out of steam. The second half, in which the film downshifts swiftly to become a typical thriller, is not nearly as strong as the first, for just this reason. Law is no longer around to brighten up the screen, and the film lags. Add to that the clumsy bedroom-farce-minus-the-comedy antics of the characters (What would happen if Meredith, who thinks Tom is Dickie, and Marge, who knows Tom is Tom, meet in Tom's presence? Well, let's run around like chickens with our heads cut off to make sure that doesn't happen! Yeesh!) and you find yourself yearning for the end credits to come. That's not to say that the second half is devoid of merit. Paltrow and Hoffman are particularly effective as they make concentric circles around Ripley, getting closer and closer to the truth. Damon, for his part, manages to hold them off skillfully. It's an intriguing chess game between these three actors. But alas, the film overstays its welcome. Too long by half an hour, I'd say, the film's themes become stale before the plot is brought to an unnatural conclusion. On the whole though, mainly for its fervent first half and its gorgeous cinematography, I enjoyed the film terribly.
Rating:
Summary: It's more than just coincidence
Review: It starts out with credits sequence that looks like it was designed by Saul Bass, the artist responsible for the opening credits of "Vertigo" and "Psycho," among others. The script is based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith, the author of "Strangers on a Train." Gabriel Yared's soundtrack, particularly the "Crazy Tom" segment, features piercing strings reminiscent of Bernard Hermann's score for "Psycho." Matt Damon's character Tom Ripley leads a double life, much like Bruno Antony in "Strangers" or Norman Bates in "Psycho;" and has plenty of homoerotic give-and-take with Jude Law's uebermensch Dickie Greenleaf, much like Bruno Antony had with Guy Haines in "Strangers." Gwyneth Paltrow's Marge and Cate Blanchett's Meredith are willowy blonde women who have names starting with "m," just like Janet Leigh's Marion ("Psycho"), Kim Novak's Madeleine ("Vertigo"), Grace Kelly's Margo ("Dial M for Murder"), and Tippi Hedren's Melanie ("The Birds"). A major character disappears halfway through the movie, much like "Psycho" and "Vertigo." While it is undeniable that this may be the most derivative movie ever made, I suspect that Alfred Hitchcock, Bernard Hermann, and Saul Bellow turning over in their graves. This is the finest homage to the masters as has ever been made. Brian De Palma, eat your heart out!
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