
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" follows Tom Ripley, an individual who finds an opportunity to immerse himself in the privileged world of Dickie Greenleaf in Italy. The narrative explores themes of identity, envy, and ambition as Tom becomes entangled in the lives of Dickie and his girlfriend, Marge, ultimately leading to deception and violence. The film's combination of thriller, crime, and drama genres helps establish a tension that builds throughout Ripley's increasingly complex situation.
The film delves into the psychological aspects of its characters, particularly Tom's motivations and the lengths he goes to maintain his fabricated life. With a runtime of 140 minutes, the movie establishes a detailed portrayal of its European setting and the lifestyle of its protagonists. The story draws from literary origins, being an adaptation of a novel, which contributes to its narrative depth and character development. The various locations, from New York City to Venice, Italy, contribute to the aesthetic and thematic backdrop of the deception.
Central to the film are keywords such as "jealousy," "dual identity," and "fake identity," which highlight the character's internal struggles and external manipulations. The narrative also touches on "wealth" and "inferiority complex," suggesting the social dynamics that drive Ripley's actions. The interplay between these elements forms the core of the film's examination of ambition and its consequences.
Why you might be searching for The Talented Mr. Ripley
People are searching for "The Talented Mr. Ripley" due to its memorable plot, which often involves the protagonist's assumption of another's identity and the subsequent criminal acts. The film's setting, particularly its iconic Italian landscapes, also makes it distinctive. The dynamic between Tom Ripley and Dickie Greenleaf, including hints of male homosexuality and intense jealousy, is a frequently recalled aspect, along with the film's exploration of secret and fake identities. The specific depiction of murder and prosecution within a luxurious European context also stands out.
What reviewers are saying
A reviewer describes how Tom Ripley, after being sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, gradually integrates himself into Dickie's and Marge's lives through calculated charm and shared interests, noting Ripley's subsequent fraudulent behavior after a violent incident.
Read the full reviewOne viewer commented on the film's elaborate network of lies that progressively escalates, highlighting Matt Damon's cunning portrayal and Jude Law's covetable character.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
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You can watch The Talented Mr. Ripley on Netflix and Paramount+.
No, The Talented Mr. Ripley is not based on a true story. It is a psychological thriller film based on Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel of the same name.
At the end of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Tom Ripley is cleared of his crimes related to Dickie Greenleaf's death and stands to inherit a portion of Dickie's trust fund. He travels by liner to Greece with Peter, who is implied to be his lover. However, he encounters Meredith, who still believes he is Dickie, and later strangles Peter to maintain his deception, leaving him alone in his cabin.
The film received generally favorable reviews, with an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 76 out of 100 on Metacritic. Critics praised Matt Damon's unsettling performance and Anthony Minghella's direction.