Rating: 
Summary: The Talented Mr. Ripley with a French accent
Review: I saw this before I read the Patricia Highsmith mystery novel from which it was adapted, and before seeing the recent and excellent The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) directed by Anthony Minghella and starring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. Here the accomplished French director René Clément has Alain Delon, Maurice Ronet and Marie Laforêt as his stars in this very fine interpretation. Seeing it again only confirms my high opinion. The fact that "Purple Noon" plays well after forty years is a testament to Clément's clean, objective direction and his faithful adherence to the Hitchcock formula. Pretty poor boy goes after everything pretty rich boy has, including his yacht and his girl friend in this tightly focused thriller. We see once again--cf., Polanski's Knife in the Water (1962) and the early Nicole Kidman vehicle Dead Calm (1989)--that some very bad things can happen when you get two men and one woman on a yacht in the middle of a whole lot of water. Note too the Mediterranean rock island atmosphere reminiscent of Antonioni's L'Avventura (1960). It will probably get me into trouble with Italian film aficionados to add that it's a little surprising that both films are from the same year, inasmuch as Plein Soleil is still a treat to watch, while L'Avventura seems terribly dated. Perhaps the beautiful use of color and the charming locales and interiors so well done by Clément make the difference. Delon is a particularly "pretty" and uncomplicated Tom Ripley, while Ronet is a somewhat nasty and macho Philippe ("Dickie" in the novel) Greenleaf, and Laforêt is a very sensual and sexy Marge. All do a good job and are well directed by Clément whose attention to detail in all aspects of the production is admirable. The fish market scene and the scene where Ripley projects Philippe's signature on the wall in order to practice it, and especially the cold, windy feel of being aboard the yacht work very well and keep us engaged. Comparing the Minghella film, I would say it owes something to Plein Soleil (e.g., the jazz motif, the real love between Marge and Philippe) but is essentially a different spin. Perhaps the most important difference is that there is no sexual ambiguity to Ripley's character in this film as there was in both the novel and Minghella's production. Clément plays it straight throughout also eschewing any sort of psychological study of Ripley's murderous nature. He even deviates from Highsmith's daring (at the time) resolution for something more traditional. Nonetheless the very clever ending is beautifully ironic and will give you a surprising jolt.
Rating: 
Summary: First Rate
Review: I saw this film, about ten years ago and mainly because I had read a review stating that Martin Scorsese had hailed this film as a masterpiece.I wasn't disappointed.The pace the locales and Alain Delon's great acting make this film a cut above the rest.
In defense to The Talented Mr. Ripley, seeing that other reviewers have sort of panned it in comparison to this film, I found The Talented Mr. Ripley equally great.As a matter of fact when I first saw Purple Noon I kept thinking That Ripley had to have some sexual attraction to Greenleaf although the film does not show it.Then I saw TTMR and read some information on the actual book and I was like "I knew it!"
Basically both films are about the same thing, wanting to be something you're not. As Matt Damon said in TTMR "I would rather be a fake somebody than a real nobody" sad but to the point.
Rating:
Summary: One of the top notch film noir ever filmed
Review: If I had to give my personal list of the ten greatest film noir ever, this one would be one of them.
Delon reached one of his peaks as actor with this one. His sense of the betrayal symbol and above all the decadence moral symbol is what precisely makes an universe of difference with Matt Damon in Langhella remake. Damon is just only perverse, not decadent.
Maurice Ronet was always a prominent actor. Though his major achievement as actor was Feu follet from Louis Malle in 1963, it deserves a perfect balance with Delon.
Rene Clement was one of the most gifted french film maker from the post war generation. His major works were Forbidden games (1953)and this one.
The growing tension in this film invades you psycologically, slowly the film compells you and carries us to an unexpected ending, in that unforgettable sequence in front the sea.
Don't miss one of the golden gems in any age of the film noir. And remember Patricia Highsmith (Strangers on a train and the american friend) was the writer of this monumental work.
Rating:
Summary: Can't take your eyes off ALAIN DELON
Review: In 1959, this taunt thriller burned across the world, establishing a genuine STAR name ALAIN DELON, you thought Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan,Gerald Phillip were THE FRENCH LOVER, wait till you see Delon! He is the FRENCH LOVER with a dash of James Dean,Paul Newman all mixed in.
Rating:
Summary: Very satisfying thriller
Review: In how many movies does one of the major characters commit an unspeakable act, and then get you to start rooting for him? The offender in this movie goes through such effort to conceal his crime, you admire his pluck, and begin wanting to see his plan through to completion. One of the best foreign films I've seen on the big screen.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie that everyone should see
Review: It was one of the best movie that I've ever saw. I actually fell in love with Alain Delon and was hoping that he actually get away with the murder.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely entertaining.
Review: Locations, locations, locations. Who can resist watching scenes from a yacht on the Mediterranean, Rome streets, and Old Naples? Tom Ripley is a troubled human being who wants to be someone else rather than what he is, but his desire to survive and his tacts make you just want to follow him. Absolutely entertaining: among the unforgettables, Marie Laforet, who sings in this film, Fra Angelico, and Nino Rota music.
Rating:
Summary: Very good movie/Ok DVD
Review: Many comparisons can be made between "Plein Soleil"(better translated as "Broad Daylight" than "Purple Noon") and "The Talented Mr. Ripley". They are both good films, with incredibly intriguing story lines and fine performances. The cinematography in both films is superb as well. The more recent version does look better, technically, but the Clement film is very pleasing to the eye, not just for the scenery, but for the incredible beauty of the young Alain Delon.
This is not really a 'great' film--it's really just about the intrigue, and it fascinates the viewer by forcing identification with a nefarious protagonist--but it is mighty entertaining. The Miramax DVD is something of a disappointment. Apart from some flashing in several scenes, the film transfer looks mostly very good. There is some distortion in the mono soundtrack, which unfortunately mars Rota's lovely score. Yet, there is at least one moment when everything works together beautifully: for instance the non-dialogue scene where Tom Ripley looks over an outdoor fish market in Naples--the colors, Delon's face and the music combine for five minutes of cinematic magic. The DVD is also a letdown in terms of features: there are three skimpy trailers, NOT including one for "Plein Soleil". The English subtitles must be turned on, they are not automatic, AND the French-language soundtrack must be selected from the setup menu, otherwise the disc defaults to the inferior English-dubbed version.
Still worth having for an enjoyable movie
Rating:
Summary: Very good movie/Ok DVD
Review: Many comparisons can be made between "Plein Soleil"(better translated as "Broad Daylight" than "Purple Noon") and "The Talented Mr. Ripley". They are both good films, with incredibly intriguing story lines and fine performances. The cinematography in both films is superb as well. The more recent version does look better, technically, but the Clement film is very pleasing to the eye, not just for the scenery, but for the incredible beauty of the young Alain Delon.
This is not really a 'great' film--it's really just about the intrigue, and it fascinates the viewer by forcing identification with a nefarious protagonist--but it is mighty entertaining. The Miramax DVD is something of a disappointment. Apart from some flashing in several scenes, the film transfer looks mostly very good. There is some distortion in the mono soundtrack, which unfortunately mars Rota's lovely score. Yet, there is at least one moment when everything works together beautifully: for instance the non-dialogue scene where Tom Ripley looks over an outdoor fish market in Naples--the colors, Delon's face and the music combine for five minutes of cinematic magic. The DVD is also a letdown in terms of features: there are three skimpy trailers, NOT including one for "Plein Soleil". The English subtitles must be turned on, they are not automatic, AND the French-language soundtrack must be selected from the setup menu, otherwise the disc defaults to the inferior English-dubbed version.
Still worth having for an enjoyable movie
Rating:
Summary: Sensually Seductive
Review: No matter how powerful a sunscreen you wear, you'll still be scorched by the pernicious heat of Purple Noon. This sunbaked French thriller, originally released in 1960 and now reissued under Martin Scorsese's imprimatur, is an elegant tale of murder on the French Riviera. Delon, looking as languidly sleek and dangerous as a panther at rest, portrays an amoral young man who knocks off a playboy pal (Maurice Ronet) and then coolly takes possession of the dead man's name, bank account and, eventually, fiancée (Marie Laforêt). As directed by René Clément (Forbidden Games), it's all très smart, sexy and suspenseful, and Delon, well, let's just say he is one mighty cute croissant. Yes, The Talented Mr. Ripley as it should be.
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