The Talented Mr. Ripley - Tara's Review
The latest rendering of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr.Ripley is nothing short of grand entertainment. The cinematography is astounding, simply some of the finest work of the year. Similar to Minghella's first film, "The English Patient," "Ripley" is, for the majority of the film, shot in a golden light. The film looks as though it was washed with the most incredible Italian sunset ever seen. The opening credits and first few minutes of the film are shot in a "splice & drip" scene-editing style suggestive of a piano keyboard - how sleek-ky-ky-ky-ky-ky-ly appropriate to the anti-hero Ripley.
Shot on location in Rome, Venice and other Italian cities, the scenery is luxurious, nostalgic, and downright gorgeous - if you don't want to live in Italy by the time the movie is over, you must be some sort of card-carrying militia patriot! The movie is set in the late 1950s and has an amazing jazz soundtrack featuring the smoky, androgynous croons of Chet Baker and the dizzying wildness of Charlie "Bird" Parker. It appears that no expense was spared in re-creating 1950s Italy - plenty of Vespas, silk suits, straw hats, golden men and women.
Minghella's screenplay took certain liberties with Highsmith's original novel that actually made it much more exciting and dynamic in some ways. The movie is a bit long and does have a somewhat slow pace, but I think it is intended to mirror Ripley's deliberation. This is a sociopath who's every move and gesture seems so carefully planned that when the unexpected happens, he is so disoriented and reactionary that he, well.enough said, you'll just have to see the movie. And despite the seemingly slow pace, it offers the viewer ample time to soak up the atmosphere and feed on the gorgeous actors.
Minghella, as a director, gets absolutely brilliant performances out of Matt Damon, Jude Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman (a personal favorite). I went into this movie as a not so huge Matt Damon fan - too much the "goldenboy" and still in need of developing his craft, as in the past he has shown signs of difficulty in getting beyond the Matt Damon/Will Hunting persona. However, this is Damon's best performance to date. I generally rate an actor's credibility by how far into the character he or she goes and how transparent s/he can become. For example, in "Saving Private Ryan," it was extremely difficult to forget that it was pearly-whites Damon - not transparent, not credible, just Matt Damon. But here, he was simultaneously creepy and loveable as the desperate sociopath. After seeing the movie Sunday, I saw a snippet last night on "Late Night with David Letterman" and finalized my opinion that Damon smoked in this role. He was Tom Ripley and left barely a shred of the all-American goldenboy image he sometimes projects in interviews, etc. Damon played the antagonist to truly "mustn't like you, but inexplicably drawn to you" anti-hero goodness. Rather than despise the crimes he commits, we sympathize in some ways. A job well done!
Jude Law is curt, indifferent, impersonal and only minimally likeable as the spoiled, ex-patriot, wannabe jazz boheme Dickie Greenleaf. Nothing short of the best performance he has given to date. Having read the book, I felt that Gwyneth Paltrow was miscast as Marge. She works well in Minghella's Marge, who is a completely different person from Highsmith's Marge. I prefer the non glamour-puss Marge. It would have made the sidebar affair (not in the novel) much more credible and sensible. Cate Blanchett was lovely as Meredith Logue, New York socialite. A far cry from Elizabeth and her turn as the compulsive gambler in "Oscar and Lucinda." Her character was extremely annoying and Blanchett played her true.
And of course, the best must always be saved for last. If you don't know who Philip Seymour Hoffman is, you will before long. Hoffman is, in my opinion, the best "new talent" out there (although not really new, working steadily since the early 90's in hits like "Scent of a Woman," "Twister," "Hard 8," "Boogie Nights," "Happiness" - see, too many to list here -- and in several off-broadway theatrical productions). Every time I see PSH I am blown away.
He is completely transparent and brings total honesty and credibility to every character he portrays. Just the other day I was showing "Hard 8" for a friend who hadn't seen it yet and when PSH's scene came on, my friend leaned forward and looked as though he was trying to place the face and said, "Is that.?" This is from a guy who owns the "Happiness" and "Big Lewbowski" DVDs. Although, PSH's Freddie Miles is a small role, he is a real gem. Hoffman seems to relish in making Freddie as flamboyant, crass, and distasteful as the European perceptions of Americans can be. There is a great scene in "Ripley" in which Freddie suspects "something ain't right." Freddie is attacking Ripley's piano with such disdain and disrespect, yet so comically, I guiltily laughed my ass off. Philip Seymour Hoffman, a scene-stealer and, I believe, engages Damon in some of his most brilliant moments in the film. I guess when in the presence of greatness, everyone else just works a little harder to keep up.
Philip Baker Hall also turns up in a small, but effective role. Another cinematic genius with great presence. Hall commands attention on screen.
"The Talented Mr. Ripley" is seductive, creepy and highly entertaining. I strongly recommend it to anyone truly interested in movies that offer the "total package" - strong screenplay, beautiful cinematography, great direction and wonderful acting. ***1/2 outta four.
-- Tara
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