The Talented Mr. Ripley

Through a simple case of mistaken identity, Matt Damon as the title character is hired to go to Italy and persuade a wealthy young playboy to return to his family in New York. Tom Ripley is a lost soul, one who is nervous and unsure of himself, whose journey is primarily one of self-discovery. Thus, it soon becomes clear that there is nothing to like about him. A simple pianist who works as a washroom attendant, Ripley is the ultimate phoney who will do whatever he can to ingratiate himself to others. The title is almost an oxymoron, because Tom is not really talented at all...in fact, he seems less than average. But he admits early on that he is good at forging signatures, telling lies, and impersonating people.

Upon meeting Dickie Greenleaf, Ripley is exposed to the life of the privileged few for the first time. And who wouldn't be spellbound by Dickie's pampered, carefree existence? Dickie is so charismatic that Tom is instantly smitten with him in more ways than one. But when Tom calls Dickie "the brother I never had", it is more of a hope than a statement. As his infatuation turns to obsession, Tom begins to emulate Dickie every way he can, and in one spooky scene literally tries to blend Dickie's reflection with his own. Dickie soon realizes, however, that Tom is a "leech" and becomes bored with his style -- or lack thereof.

Much has been said about how difficult it was for Matt Damon to create a sympathetic villain, but I find it impossible to feel for someone who finds he has a penchant for murder, especially one who shows no remorse. Perhaps Edward Norton would have been more suited to the role of a two-faced character. Jude Law, as Dickie, gives an electric performance; however, the film suffers after he makes his exit half-way through. Gwyneth Paltrow, as Dickie's fiancee Marge, is by no means inadequate but still fails to impress me. Cate Blanchett in a minor role is far more alluring.

Director Anthony Minghella has based the film on a novel, as he did with The English Patient. But he seems more concerned with mood than in entertaining his audience. A disturbing film, The Talented Mr. Ripley is more of a character study than anything else. Though the plot is very Hitchcockian, its execution lacks suspense. Sadly, the story plays like an episode of Columbo, but takes an excessive amount of time to wrap up. Most of the Italian scenery is wasted, and is certainly not complemented by the irritating music score. And, though set in the 1950s, there is little indication of this aside from some of the costumes.

While the film does illustrate the perils of greed, it oddly seems to condone murder. Tom knows that he will always be an outsider, and as his life becomes an increasingly complex charade it spins rapidly out of control. Promotions for the film ask, "How far would you go to become someone else." Clearly, Mr. Ripley is a man whose limits know no bounds, but how many of us (barring those appearing on America's Most Wanted) can relate to that? Rating: 5 out of 10.