Movie Reviews

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a very interesting character-study. Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) has always been a bit of a nobody -- no real friends, no real job, no ambition, and very few interests. His only significant quality is a certain particular talent that the film's title alludes to: his talent for impersonation. At the beginning of the film, it seems as though it's not something that Tom has really delved too deeply into; instead, it's been mainly a way in which to impress people and earn a quick buck or two.

However, he soon discovers an escape route out of his 'boring' life in the form of a Mr. Herbert Greenleaf, who mistakenly assumes Tom to be a friend of his son Dickie's. Dickie (Jude Law) has disappointed his father by running away from the family business and moving to Italy with his girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Herbert asks Tom to travel to Italy -- all expenses paid -- and convince Dickie to come home. Tom accepts, and shortly after meeting Dickie and Marge in Italy, he's smooth-talked his way into actually becoming close friends with both of them.

Things start to get more interesting as Tom acquires more and more of a taste for spinning lies and impersonations, and he eventually determines that the only thing that will make him happy is if he can become Dickie Greenleaf. The only thing that stands in the way of that becoming a reality is the real Dickie Greenleaf himself, and so in a moment of anger after an argument with Dickie, Tom lashes out and "removes" the obstacle...

That's only the beginning, really. The plot is somewhat complicated, but it's an appropriate extension of the Tom Ripley character himself, who is definitely one of the more 'complicated' characters you're likely to see in a film. Does he enjoy lying to people? Why does he do it? Is that all there is to this character, or is there actually a real person underneath all of the lies and impersonations? That last question is a big one, and it's what makes The Talented Mr. Ripley so interesting. There are moments when it seems as though the 'real' Tom tries to break through, and as a viewer you can kind've begin to feel sorry for him (which I think is the reason why this character, who does some really nasty things, still manages to be a somewhat likable protagonist). But shortly after, no doubt there's a new set of lies spun by Tom that'll bring him one step closer to being discovered as the sham that he is (and it is from this angle that the film builds a lot of tension and suspense). He rationalizes all of this by believing that "it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody".

This film isn't your 'usual' suspense thriller, and Tom Ripley is far from a 'normal' character. It's these qualities, along with good direction, excellent acting, and beautiful scenery, that makes The Talented Mr. Ripley a uniquely interesting film.