The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Tom Ripley is a calculating young man who believes it's better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody. Opportunity knocks in the form of a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder who hires Tom to travel to Italy to bring back his playboy son, Dickie. Ripley worms his way into the idyllic lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, plunging into a daring scheme of duplicity, lies and murder.
Details
Budget
$40,000,000
Rating
7/10 (3817 votes)
Status
Released
Production Companies
Mirage Enterprises, Timnick Films
About The Talented Mr. Ripley
Set in the late 1950s, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a crime drama and thriller centered on Tom Ripley, a young man who travels to Italy at the behest of a wealthy shipbuilder. His mission is to convince the shipbuilder's son, Dickie Greenleaf, to return home to America. Ripley quickly ingratiates himself into Dickie's luxurious life alongside his girlfriend, Marge, leading to a complex web of deceit and ultimately, murder.
The film explores themes of jealousy, dual identities, and the pursuit of wealth, set against the backdrop of scenic Italy. Tom's calculated manipulation and his ability to assume new identities drive the narrative, creating a suspenseful atmosphere as his deceptions escalate. The story is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel, and it delves into the psychological aspects of its characters, particularly Tom's motivations and methods.
The runtime of 140 minutes allows for a thorough development of the plot and characters, providing a look into Ripley's increasingly desperate measures to maintain his fabricated reality. The movie's critical reception, with an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 76/100 on Metacritic, reflects its effective blend of psychological drama and thriller elements.
Why you might be searching for The Talented Mr. Ripley
People search for "The Talented Mr. Ripley" due to its memorable portrayal of a character who assumes multiple identities, the scenic Italian settings, and its themes of deception and psychological suspense. The film's critical reception and its status as a well-regarded adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel also contribute to its search interest.
What reviewers are saying
One reviewer noted that Tom Ripley, after being tasked with bringing Dickie Greenleaf home from Europe, uses fabricated commonalities to insinuate himself into Dickie and Marge's lives, eventually leading to unforeseen consequences after their friend Freddie arrives.
Read the full reviewAnother reviewer described the film as a complex narrative of lies that progressively becomes unmanageable, highlighting Jude Law's covetable character and Matt Damon's calculated performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream *The Talented Mr. Ripley* on Netflix and Starz. It is also available for purchase or rental on DVD/Blu-ray and via Paramount Movies.com.
No, *The Talented Mr. Ripley* is not based on a true story. It is a psychological thriller film from 1999, written and directed by Anthony Minghella, and adapted from Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel of the same name.
At the end of *The Talented Mr. Ripley*, Tom Ripley has successfully assumed Dickie Greenleaf's identity, with the police concluding that Dickie murdered Freddie and then committed suicide. Dickie's father even plans to leave a significant portion of his trust fund to Tom. Tom boards a liner to Greece with Peter Smith-Kingsley, who is implied to be his lover. However, Tom encounters Meredith Logue, who knows him as Dickie. To maintain his deception, Tom is forced to kill Peter after Peter sees him kissing Meredith and questions his identity, leaving Tom alone with his secrets.
*The Talented Mr. Ripley* was a critical and commercial success, grossing $128.8 million worldwide against a $40 million budget. It holds an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Matt Damon's unsettling performance and Anthony Minghella's direction.