Rating: 
Summary: Not only talented, also demented Mr. Ripley
Review: A psychological thriller that has a great climax but the ending is usatisfactory. I admit, I never read the book, but I can only bet the book had a better ending, usually does. Matt Damon gives an amazing performance as the lead, Tom Ripley. What makes Mr. Ripley so talented his natural ability to learn about people, so well, that he can copycat their voices and looks. So, when he meets Jude Law's character, Dickie Greenleaf, he would like nothing else than to live life as he does. Mr. Ripley will stop at nothing to obtain that kind of life. The only one who realizes Ripley is up to no good is Paltrow, who plays Jude Law's wife. Others who find out, end up silenced, if you know what I mean. While the story builds and builds to a well done climax, it fails to resolve the story at the end. GRADE: C
Rating: 
Summary: For serious film buffs
Review: I've written a fuller review elsewhere, which can be obtained from the external links on the IMDB, but I did want to mention that the DVD extras on this film are some of the best I've seen. I've heard both good and bad audio commentaries by film directors, and Minghella's rank right at the top. It's easy to see that he has thoroughly thought out what he wanted to bring out in The Talented Mr. Ripley, and I was amazed at the depth and insightfulness that he brings to the DVD version.
Rating: 
Summary: Stylish and sexy
Review: Anthony Minghella's adaption of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley satisfies on many levels. Highsmith's book provides a greater understanding of Tom Ripley's motives and passions but the film does also convey these through tight editing and studied scenes. The most obvious plus with Minghella's film is the cinematography. It would be hard to make the Amalfi Coast, Rome and Venice to look anything less than stunning. In the Talented Mr Ripley they look like sensual, sexy travel brochures.Matt Damon carries the role of Tom Ripley with aplomb. He exudes concealed malice whilst carrying the burden of his hidden homosexuality and working class roots. Highsmith's novel was a critique of the false class system built on wealth and looks. The movie conveys this message admirably. The supporting cast are also flawless. Jude Law is stunning as the spoilt and wilful Dickie, Gwynneth Paltrow proves she can act and takes the role of Margie through a variety of emotions from vulnerable socialite to revengeful lover. Australia's Cate Blanchett shines in a supporting role (not included in the novel). The film follows a fatalistic path and does not moralize. We do not hate Tom even though he lies, deceives and murders. He is the anti-hero and a victim of society's dictate that wealth and beauty are the ultimate prizes. This film satisfies on many levels. The sets are sumptious, be they smokey jazz clubs in Rome or Neapolitan beaches, the direction maintains pace and intrigue and the performances are spot on.
Rating: 
Summary: frankly this movie is terrible
Review: I saw this movie in the theaters and I have to say I will never watch this movie again. Yes this movie was that bad that even if I were to be trapped in a situation where I had to see it again I would through the whole movie openly admit throughout the whole time watch this movie how much I hate it making everybody in the room just as uncomfortable watching this movie as I would be. I HATE THIS MOVIE!!! IT SUCKS!!! DON'T DARE BUY THIS SORRY MOVIE BECUASE YOU SIMPLY WILL NOT LIKE IT!!! THIS MOVIE WAS SO TERRIBLE I LEFT THE THEATER THREE TIMESBECAUSE HOW TRULY OFFESIVE TO THE EYES IT WAS BEFORE I FINALLY LEFT AND GOT MY MONEY BACK ERRGH I HATE THIS MOVIE!!!
Rating:
Summary: Cate Blanchet overlooked again
Review: I very much enjoyed the movie, though there were some weak links in the plot. I felt once again Cate Blanchet was overlooked. She lost the Oscar to Gwyneth Paltrow, which I think was a travesty, she was absalutely incredable in Elizabeth, and I thought Gwyneth was nothing to brag about in Shakespeare In Love. It upset me to see her second banana to Gwyneth, but none the less she shined in The Talented Mr. Ripley with a character that was funny and easy to fall in love with. I hope that the academy never again makes such a flop on there pick for best actress as they did when they picked Gwyneth.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Exciting, Intelligent
Review: This film is an excellent thriller that goes deep into the mind of Tom Ripley. In my opinion, it is one of the best films of the year. I love this movie and can not wait until it comes out on video. See it today!
Rating:
Summary: Talent not shown here. Talk about "Sliced Bread" hype!
Review: I just can't even begin to comprehend all of the stellar reviews for this absolute rubbish of cinema. It has no redeeming qualities at all. I can, on the other hand, understand the negative ones. Unfortunately, those people are smart and choose not to express this disbelief of this slop in so many words. I, on the other hand, was so riveted by how God-awful this movie was, I must tell you all about it. The movie is about a fairly poor off gentleman named Tom Ripley and his plight for something great in the world. Tom, played extremely dully by Matt Damon, seeks out fortune by trying to convince a young spoiled brat (Jude Law) to obey his father's wishes and come back home to America. It helps that this request by the father of the boy sends Tom to Italy and with his boss's money. So Tom gains the friendship of this wealthy boy and his beautiful young girlfriend (Gwyneth Paltrow). Let me try and express this so-called "talent" of Tom. It is seducing rich people into giving them all their life. Well, it works and Tom ends up fooling people into thinking that he is now Dickie. This leads to a duller than dish water game of bouncing around beautiful young millionariess (Cate Blanchett) and Dickie's ex. I really don't have the time nor the inoculation to try and express more of boring storyline, but would just like to rant on the acting of these big names. The performances are so lackluster that you become shocked that many of these names are well known. Even Cate, whom I really like in many movies, can't carry off her performance as a pampered American princess type. I could hardly tell if Gwen is playing yet another Brit or just a snobby "colonist". The only thing even worthy of being called acting is the somewhat threateningly cleaver character played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. He might really be something big soon. However, one the reasons this film was so exclaimed was the big debut of Jude Law. Personally, I don't get it. There are two big questions to ask after reading my review. Why did so many people enjoy this film? I have no idea but I think it could be just the scenery but with a story so inspiring and just plain not entertaining, you can't even be thrilled with the tourist attraction angles. Take the trip to Rome if you have to because it will be worth it. After that, why was this movie so praised by critics. Personally, I feel they got paid. Just kidding, but seriously I think it was some kind of love affair/admiration for Law whom gave this movie such buzz. His performance isn't the best, but perhaps a far 2nd to the sly Hoffman. The same kind that there was for Damon a few years ago. Better stop listening to those critics all the time. So I guess this "next biggest thing since Sliced Bread" is very moldy and green. I'm not shocked. Maybe there is hope. Maybe I'm cynical and just didn't see the magic. Then again, I was watching with someone else and they agreed whole heartdely. Keep in mind this is the same man that brought us that little cinematic gem "The English Patient" Almost an unfair comparison as to which is worst, but this takes the cake. At least there where a few good things about that story. So unless you like that kind of trite film making of visual beauty over a good story and acting, this is one to get but I have a fair idea that most people with any taste for a real chiller will be bored to tears with this film. I have seen B-movies that make this look very bad. At least there is a camp quality to those films while this one tries to hard and just fails on all counts. Where is Morgan Fairchild when you need here? I must recommed you avoid this and save yourself some pain. There are two kinds of movies I remember. Really great ones and awful stinkers. I hope this venting of my feelings on this one will help me get over it.
Rating:
Summary: The most underrated movie of the year!
Review: I just can't understand why this movie got so bad reviews. In my opinion this is one of the best films of the year 1999. Better than American Beauty anyway. This movie is flawless. The actors are terrific. Matt Damon gives the performance of his career, very brave and very brilliant. Jude Law deserved his Oscar nomination and Gwyneth Paltrow is even better here than in Shakespeare in love. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Cate Blanchet make a great supporting cast. This is a movie filled with suspence and beauty. It's a disturbing experience but at the same time beautiful. A brilliant screenplay, this is one of the most underrated movies ever made and much better than Minghella's other masterpiece, The English Patience. A must buy for anyone who apreciates something different than the old clichés.
Rating:
Summary: One of the worst films of the year
Review: 1999 was a great year for films. Masterpieces such as American Beauty and Fight Club took audiences' breaths away and other fine films like The Green Mile, The Sixth Sense, The Insider, etc. delivered fine storytelling. But there are also the films that were well received by critics but are extremely overrated. There's Being John Malkovich-a film which is more creepy than funny-and then there's The Talented Mr. Ripley-a film that's more funny than creepy, although I was told it wasn't a comedy. The Talented Mr. Ripley initially began with promise. But after a decent half hour it goes very downhill from there. There's so many problems with the film I wondered why the director never bothered to improve on them. For one, with a film this slow paced you have to wonder why it's labeled a suspense/thriller. It takes over an hour for anything to really happen. Perhaps what I disliked most was the lack of likeable characters. Jude Law's spoiled rich boy is too bratty and arrogant, Gwyneth Paltrow as his girlfriend is too whiny and dumb, Cate Blanchett's in the film for about 15 minutes, and Matt Damon is too odd and murderous. Speaking of all these actors, most of them aren't fit for the role with the exception of Law. Damon does his best but he's incredibly miscast as Ripley. I never get the feeling he could be a murderer. The title refers to Ripley as being talented, but as a reviewer states below, where's the talent? He claims to be able to mimic people but when he pretends to be Law's father it wasn't until Law acted with surprise that I realized it was an imitation (in other words, he's not very good at disguise or mimic as everybody in the film thinks he is). Okay, he does take over a man's life and nobody notices, but virtually the whole reason for that is because nobody seems to have the intelligence of a gnat to figure that out. At 2.5 hours, Ripley goes on far too long. Just when you think it might end, it doesn't. Just when you think it might get better, it doesn't. As for the conclusion, I sure as heck hope nobody plans to make a franchise out of this.
Rating:
Summary: Ever Wanted to be Someone Else?
Review: Most of us either do not have the inclination or the opportunity to change our lives this drastically. Not Tom Ripley. Ripley (Matt Damon) is truly a man of many talents. He is quite good at forging signatures, telling complicated lies, and impersonating almost anyone. Tom is approached by a Mr. Greenleaf, a wealthy businessman who pursuades him to find his son Dickie in Europe and convince him to come back home. Tom finds Dickie (played wonderfully by Jude Law) living the high life with his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). After a rocky introduction, Tom and Dickie begin a close friendship. Maybe too close. Dickie soon learns the real reason behind Tom's visit as well as Tom's many talents. Tom learns a few things too: He likes this new easy-going European lifestyle and intends to stay. Changing one's identity would be very simple if.... What follows involves quick thinking, quick lying, and quick action. The story involves lots of interesting twists and turns that will keep you in suspense. The film has a great look. From the opening credits, you can tell that a lot of time has been spent making the film, the settings, the actors, even the props look good. For me, the film was almost as satisfying as the novel by Patricia Highsmith.
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