The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)
| The Talented Mr. Ripley | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Anthony Minghella |
| Produced by |
William Horberg Tom Sternberg |
| Screenplay by | Anthony Minghella |
| Based on |
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Gabriel Yared |
| Cinematography | John Seale |
| Edited by | Walter Murch |
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Production
company |
Mirage Enterprises
Timnick Films |
| Distributed by |
Paramount Pictures Miramax Films |
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Release date
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Running time
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138 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $40 million |
| Box office | $128.8 million |
The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1999 American psychological thriller written for the screen and directed by Anthony Minghella. An adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel of the same name, the film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, Gwyneth Paltrow as Marge Sherwood and Cate Blanchett as Meredith Logue.
The novel was previously filmed as Plein Soleil in 1960.
Tom Ripley is a young man struggling to make a living in 1950s New York City. While working at a party, he is approached by the wealthy shipbuilder Herbert Greenleaf, who believes that Ripley went to Princeton with his son, Dickie. Greenleaf recruits Ripley to travel to Italy to persuade Dickie to return home to the United States, for which he will pay Ripley $1,000. Ripley accepts the proposal, although he did not go to Princeton and has never even met Dickie.
Shortly after his arrival in Italy, Ripley concocts an accidental meeting on the beach with Dickie and his fiancée, Marge Sherwood, and quickly insinuates himself into their lives under the pretext of being a fellow jazz lover. On one of their jaunts, Dickie and Ripley meet Dickie's friend Freddie Miles, who treats Ripley with barely concealed contempt.
A local girl, whom Dickie had impregnated, drowns herself when he refuses to help her financially. Ripley secretly witnesses their final encounter. Dickie begins to tire of Ripley, resenting his constant presence and suffocating dependence. Ripley's own feelings are complicated by his desire to maintain the opulent lifestyle Dickie has afforded him, and by his growing sexual obsession with his new friend. As a gesture, Dickie invites Ripley to sail with him for a last trip to San Remo. Whilst out to sea together, Dickie lashes out when Ripley confronts him about his behavior, and a fight ensues during which Ripley repeatedly strikes Dickie with an oar, killing him. To conceal the murder, Ripley scuttles the boat with Dickie's body before swimming ashore.
When the hotel concierge mistakes him for Dickie, Ripley realizes he can assume Dickie's identity. He forges Dickie's signature, modifies his passport and begins living off the allowance provided by Herbert Greenleaf. He uses Dickie's typewriter to communicate with Marge, making her believe that Dickie has deserted her. He checks into two separate hotels as himself and as Dickie, passing messages between them via the hotel staff to provide the illusion that Dickie is still alive.
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