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The Talented Mr. Ripley

I watched it again on Netflix last night. Anthony Minghella directed so of course it was beautiful. Paltrow was wonderful and Matt Damon did ok, but boy did he look nerdy and toothy. There was a scene where Marge drops ice cubes on the floor and the floor is made of stunning blue/green tiles. The sets were amazing. I thought it was supposed to be the 1940s, but the year was 1959.

Patricia Highsmith was a piece of work.

by Anonymousreply 207December 23, 2020 2:39 PM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 1January 26, 2014 3:53 AM

"The sets were amazing. I thought it was supposed to be the 1940s, but the year was 1959."

The costumes looked late fifties, but it's not like these characters would be caught dead in a spanking new mid-century modern setting. Of course many of them were living on little, and loving the elderly shabbiness of the places they rented. The exception was Ripley's place in Venice, and of course that was as antique as money could make it.

Good film, IMHO, but not great. A great performance by the leading man could have made it great, but Damon didn't deliver one.

by Anonymousreply 2January 26, 2014 3:59 AM

Yes Damon did a fair job, but he lacked the ability to embody the naked intensity of his covetous desires.

Totally outshone by Phillip Seymour Hoffman in their few scenes together.

by Anonymousreply 3January 26, 2014 4:08 AM

Jude Law was at the peak of his beauty here, and he's the one people remember from the movie. Not surprisingly, he's the only cast member in this film that got an Oscar nomination.

by Anonymousreply 4January 26, 2014 4:12 AM

Funny, I thought Damon was brilliant. You could really feel his pain at being poor and plain, and his wanting to be not only Jude Law's lover, but Jude Law.

by Anonymousreply 5January 26, 2014 4:17 AM

OP, I'm also surprised you didn't mention Jude Law. He blew me away. Incredible charisma. My interest really flagged once he was beaten to death halfway through. Matt Damon couldn't carry the rest of the movie. Too much nerdiness, not enough cunning.

But I think I need to see this again.

by Anonymousreply 6January 26, 2014 4:34 AM

Yeah, Jude Law brought likeability to shallow, spoiled Dickie. He played "entitled" very well without being a caricature.

by Anonymousreply 7January 26, 2014 4:39 AM

I thought Paltrow was good in this, until she has to share a scene with Blanchett, and you realize how very dull an actress Paltrow really is.

by Anonymousreply 8January 26, 2014 6:10 AM

It holds up.

by Anonymousreply 9January 26, 2014 6:23 AM

R8, I disagree. Blanchett is so mannered in general and it's really obvious in comparison to the rest of the cast.

by Anonymousreply 10January 26, 2014 7:04 AM

10 posts and no mention of the stunning Alain Delon aged 24 in the 1959 original film Plein Soleil (Purple Noon) by Rene Clement - or Patricia Highsmith's still fascinating book - Datalounge really is being taken over by the new illiterates!

by Anonymousreply 11January 26, 2014 9:30 AM

A question: is Dickie toying with Tom Ripley, presumably he knows Tom has the hots for him, and it amuses him to tease Tom by taking that bath and being naked in front of him, as Dickie is bored with dull Marge ...

Dickie of course has also made that local girl pregnant, and she drowns herself. That was not in the original book, but put in by Minghella presumably to make Dickie more of a heel, so we feel glad when he gets offed - but as he is the charismatic heart of the film, it does not work out that way.

In the original 1959 film they wear marvellous casual wear clothes that still look great today, - Delon walking around in that suit! But in the remake they are all wearing fussy 50s fashions that look overdone now.

by Anonymousreply 12January 26, 2014 9:35 AM

R12, I think the bath scene is where Dickie first realizes that Tom has the hots for him, and when realization you hits you see this look of mingled contempt, discomfort, and egotism on his face. He cools on Ripley after that, and Ripley gets desperate when he realizes that Dickie is about to dump him.

Law can be a VERY good actor, which is why he's still working now that his looks are gone.

by Anonymousreply 13January 26, 2014 10:27 AM

from a very good article about Highsmith, her feelings about sexuality, and her work

[quote] Highsmith writes at this moment of discovery of the impossibility of her love for the woman that she "felt quite close to murder... murder is a kind of making love, a kind of possessing. (Is it not, too, a way of getting complete and passionate attention, for a moment, from the object of one`s affections?) To arrest her suddenly, my hands up on her throat (which I should really like to kiss) as if I took a photograph, to make her in an instant cool and rigid as a statue."

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 14January 26, 2014 11:27 AM

I always wondered what Mr. Greenleaf knew or surmised when he came to Venice after Dickie's 'suicide'. The movie was very vague on that point. Did Mr. Greenleaf think that Tom & Dickie were lovers and Dickie's inheritance was a bribe to Tom to keep their relationship a secret preserving Dickie's legacy from rumors of homosexuality? Or did Mr. Greenleaf suspect that Tom had actually murdered Dickie but chose to pay him off to keep the other sordid details of Dickie's past from surfacing (Susanne's pregnancy & suicide, Freddie Miles' death, Dickie's violent past at Princeton). Or was the bribe an act of gratitude for offing the prodigal son who Mr. Greenleaf found spoiled and ungrateful? I would have liked to have seen an interview with James Rebhorn (the actor who played Mr. Greenleaf) in the supplemental material of the dvd that addressed that vital plot point the movie left unresolved.

I felt that Alvin MacCarron the detective knew that Tom killed Dickie but he was paid off by Mr. Greenleaf not to go there. We also knew that Marge thought Tom killed Dickie, but Mr. Greenleaf chose not to believe her. So how much was Mr. Greenleaf being fooled by Tom or should we see Mr. Greenleaf as a willing participant in the deception? Opinions?

by Anonymousreply 15January 27, 2014 5:14 AM

r10, I completely disagree. Blanchett gives the best performance in the whole film. She's indeed mannered, because she's playing a mannered young woman of incredible wealth but of little sexual or emotional confidence.

by Anonymousreply 16January 27, 2014 5:18 AM

I used to think of the movie as a tragedy, but it ends with Ripley earning a trust fund, driving Gwyneth crazy, and getting away with murdering his boyfriend so he can romp around Europe with Cate Blanchett as his fag hag.

"Singin' in the Rain" doesn't have as happy an ending.

by Anonymousreply 17January 27, 2014 5:26 AM

The two most memorable scenes in the film were from the ladies expressing opposite emotions.

Paltrow "I like him. No, I like him." "Marge you like everybody"

Blanchett "I hate you.. I hate you..."

and of course the great line delivered by Phillip Seymour Hoffman "Tommy.. how's the peeping...how's the peeping..

by Anonymousreply 18January 27, 2014 5:37 AM

"God. A corduroy jacket, in Italy."

by Anonymousreply 19January 27, 2014 7:13 AM

R14, thanks for posting the link to the article about Highsmith.

by Anonymousreply 20January 27, 2014 7:33 AM

I think it's a masterpiece and sincerely believe that the only reason it didn't get the absolute acclaim it deserves is because of American cultural homophobia.

It profoundly discomforted most audiences once they realised what what was going on.

Without 'the gay thing' it would have won Best Picture.

Everyone was perfect, including Paltrow in Grace Kelly mode. Blanchett nailed her role, although it teetered on camp. (She's always stagey: you can set your stop watch by her mannerisms.)

[quote] Law can be a VERY good actor

Yes. People forget he had years and years on the English stage. I can remember a short item on him in After Dark magazine as a leading beauty way back in the early 80s!

by Anonymousreply 21January 27, 2014 7:46 AM

But he was born in 1972, R21.

by Anonymousreply 22January 27, 2014 8:14 AM

A bit too polished and ordinary IMHO, typical 90' superficial HW movie making.

PSH and Paltrow were underused and Law and Damon couldn't pull it off.

by Anonymousreply 23January 27, 2014 9:26 AM

Interesting comment r21 - American audiences also could not handle a gay or bi warrior hero, hence Oliver Stone's problems with ALEXANDER and the different versions.

I think though Minghella expanded Highsmith's novel too much, with that long added-on ending with Jack Davenport and Blanchett.

by Anonymousreply 24January 27, 2014 10:18 AM

Law gave the only memorable performance in "Anna Karenina"

by Anonymousreply 25January 27, 2014 10:27 AM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 26January 27, 2014 3:05 PM

I love this film. It's so beautiful to look at, including the costumes. Everything is just wonderful.

And all the actors were wonderful. Although Matt Damon's performance, as has been pointed out, seemed a little odd and awkward. But that's probably what he was going for and it's in keeping with the out-of-his-element, misfit Tom Ripley. He has a lots of secrets and deception to hide and cover up. Maybe Damon wanted us to feel that awkwardness and oddness that the character felt. That mounting pressure of keeping all those murderous secrets.

IF that's what it was, then Matt Damon's performance was wonderful.

I find Patricia Highsmith hard to read. She is also a very odd and awkward writer.

by Anonymousreply 27January 27, 2014 3:20 PM

All I remember about that film is the gorgeous clothes Gwyneth wore and thinking that the clothes wore her. It was like they were designed for Grace Kelly or Eva Marie Saint but on Gwyneth they seemed so pretentious like they were trying to sell Paltrow as an ice cool blond legend.It was so distracting and saddening.

by Anonymousreply 28January 27, 2014 5:55 PM

I love the movie but there is one scene towards the end in which Gwennie is supposed to be horrified and makes the ugliest face ever. I laugh every time.

by Anonymousreply 29January 27, 2014 6:05 PM

Anthony Minghella got fantastic performances out of all his actors. Gwyneth even managed to project great sensitivity and a keen intelligence.

by Anonymousreply 30February 6, 2014 8:15 PM

PSH was great in this movie; he played such the jerk. His character sized up Matt's instantly.

I hate it when the bullies do that.

by Anonymousreply 31February 6, 2014 8:19 PM

I found Damon to be absolutely perfect in this role - which surprised me at the time.

by Anonymousreply 32February 6, 2014 8:21 PM

This film made me want to become an actor.

by Anonymousreply 33February 6, 2014 8:26 PM

Nice, R6! A SPOILER ALERT would help!

by Anonymousreply 34February 6, 2014 8:30 PM

I like the scene where Matt is naked. What a beautiful body he had back then.

by Anonymousreply 35February 6, 2014 8:32 PM

"You're so white. Ever seen a guy so white, Marge? You're gray, actually."

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 36February 6, 2014 8:37 PM

Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) is a masterpiece.

I urge anyone who enjoyed The Talented Mr. Ripley to definitely see this film. All the actors are first-rate. Delon, despite his incredible good looks, delivers a formidable performance. Just thinking about the last two minutes of the film, sends shivers down my spine. ..

Don't miss it!!

by Anonymousreply 37February 6, 2014 8:37 PM

Jude Law freeballin'!

by Anonymousreply 38February 6, 2014 8:42 PM

[quote]Blanchett nailed her role, although it teetered on camp. (She's always stagey: you can set your stop watch by her mannerisms.)

I had no problem with her doing that for that particular role. Meredith, as someone pointed out above, was a very awkward woman with little sexual self-confidence: it made a lot of sense she would be so mannered.

I knew a lot of very nice, awkward, wealthy New England girls at college who talked like that--they just weren't at home with themselves or their bodies yet.

by Anonymousreply 39February 6, 2014 8:47 PM

Freddy(PSH) really pinged in this movie. He made MD and JL look positively straight in comparison.

As much as I hate Paltrow she wasn't bad in the film then again she wasn't great either. she was the weakest link in an otherwise well acted film.

by Anonymousreply 40February 6, 2014 8:48 PM

To me it's fascinating that one novel (which I haven't read in years) could have so many interesting cinematic variations. Wish someone would adapt the other novels.

by Anonymousreply 41February 6, 2014 8:48 PM

the untalented miss ripley is Tig Notaro

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 42February 6, 2014 8:53 PM

Film critic David Thomson on Blanchett's role:

[quote]Whether or not director Anthony Minghella will be proved right--that Cate Blanchett can do anything--remains to be seen. But it will be fun finding out, I think, just because of what Minghella discovered with her in The Talented Mr Ripley (1999): that she has a comic imp inside that can make a character out of something very slight. Her Meredith Logue is enlarged from the Highsmith novel for plot purposes, but Blanchett found the special restlessness of a woman not quite beautiful or rich enough, yet ill at ease if she isn't dealing with people who do have money.

by Anonymousreply 43February 6, 2014 8:55 PM

[quote]To me it's fascinating that one novel (which I haven't read in years) could have so many interesting cinematic variations.

You mean two?

Try Wuthering Heights. There's a billion versions of that.

by Anonymousreply 44February 6, 2014 9:07 PM

"Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy".....

by Anonymousreply 45February 6, 2014 9:21 PM

R15: I think the "buyoff" with Dickie's inheritance was the movie's greatest flaw. It was just too unbelievable as presented.

You just found out your son died, in murky circumstances, and you give his buddy a fortune, almost no questions asked? I couldn't buy it...

by Anonymousreply 46February 6, 2014 9:29 PM

I agree about Damon not quite being able to convey the character, although he seemed to have an intellectual understanding of him.

But mostly I want to thank the OP for reminding me how good Paltrow actually was in it. Her latter-day horrors and bankruptcy of any kind of decency has left her such an unwanted cartoon character that it has spoiled the fact she could do some nice work - when she still was recognizably human.

Maybe some day I'll be able to face SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE again, even.

by Anonymousreply 47February 6, 2014 9:30 PM

I met Highsmith once, years ago in Switzerland. Her mother had been a friend of my aunt, who always encouraged me to go meet her. Highsmith may have had the reputation of being a dragon, but for the short time we spent together, she couldn't have been more charming and more fun.

She wrote a long and very amusing dedication in her book "Animal-lovers' book of beastly murder" - or something to that effect, it was called 'Le Rat de Venise' in French - to my ancient auntie.

After my aunt died, my sister idiotically threw all her book collection out including the one with Highsmith's long note. Infuriating.

by Anonymousreply 48February 6, 2014 9:39 PM

One gorgeous thing about Purple Noon is the stunningly natural Technicolor photography. It looks like the movie was filmed yesterday instead of decades ago.

by Anonymousreply 49February 6, 2014 9:51 PM

bump

by Anonymousreply 50February 22, 2014 3:25 AM

R48, did Highsmith strike you as a happy person? How did she adjust to Swiss life? Was your Aunt a native American?

by Anonymousreply 51February 22, 2014 3:50 AM

Blanchett was wonderful; someone needs to remake "Tender is the Night" with her as soon as possible.

by Anonymousreply 52February 22, 2014 4:19 AM

She had the most off-putting face, like a mask of tragedy, then she would explode in belly laughs. She seemed happy to me. Smoked like a chimney, crazy about cats.

Highsmith had grown up on Lake Worth in Texas. My auntie used to visit a cousin who lived out on the lake and was neighbors with Highsmith's mother. My auntie (who later became a book illustrator) used to babysit Little Patty. She also drew a lot of portraits of her when she was a kid. My aunt said she was the most extraordinary looking kid - enormous black eyes that bored through you.

Highsmith seemed delighted to bump into somebody in Switzerland, 60 years later (at least), who had second-hand memories of her childhood. She claimed she remembered my aunt, but maybe she was only being nice. She couldn't have been older than 6-7 when her mother moved to NYC. Though my aunt moved to NYC too to pursue her career and I think she saw Highsmith's mother occasionally after that.

by Anonymousreply 53February 22, 2014 2:45 PM

I don't know if this has been said upthread already, but this is the ONLY film where I actually liked Paltrow. If she was going to win an Oscar, it should have been for this.

by Anonymousreply 54February 22, 2014 2:49 PM

So sad that Anthony Minghella was actually going to do a production of Eugene Onegin (the opera in the movie) at the met opera

by Anonymousreply 55February 22, 2014 2:51 PM

Everyone in this film was at the very apex of their attractiveness. Match this with the absolutely flawless backdrop of the Italian Riviera and you have nothing short of a visual masterpiece.

by Anonymousreply 56February 22, 2014 3:07 PM

The fact that Mr. Greenleaf didn't believe Marge was a nod to 1950s sexism and paternalistic attitudes. He was treating her as some clueless bimbo who he had to patronize and baby because she had gone into a "woman's hysteria" and needed to see a "man's reason".

by Anonymousreply 57February 22, 2014 3:10 PM

I don't get the hype about Blanchett, she is an OK actress at best. If she wins the Oscar for her try hard performance in Jasmine it will be just another ridiculous decision by the academy.

R54 Goop was great in this movie, but honestly she has done way more interesting movies.

by Anonymousreply 58February 22, 2014 7:11 PM

GOOP was merely competent, not great.

by Anonymousreply 59February 22, 2014 7:14 PM

Is Damon wearing false teeth in the film? Or are those square tiles his own? Does anyone know?

by Anonymousreply 60February 22, 2014 8:00 PM

I think that R57 is right.

by Anonymousreply 61February 22, 2014 11:39 PM

Love this film. All did a good, if not great job. And yes, Jude Law was physical perfection

by Anonymousreply 62February 22, 2014 11:44 PM

What do we think of Ripley Underground the second book after The Talented Mr Ripley and the film staring Barry Pepper as Ripley.

Also this was the apex of hotness for Jude Law and Cuteness for Matt Damon.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 63February 23, 2014 12:20 AM

This really is very good. And Gwyneth actually works. It's gorgeous. The first time I saw it years ago, I idiotically Googled Mongi, Italy, not realizing it's a fictional resort town.

by Anonymousreply 64February 23, 2014 12:23 AM

I loved Jude Law's suits and hats, especially the navy blue suit.

The gowns that Gwyneth and Cate wear were also gorgeous.

I thought Paltrow gave her best performance in Ripley.

by Anonymousreply 65February 23, 2014 12:29 AM

R63 Read the second book. (spoiler alert) I didn't think that it was as good as the first novel. It kind of dragged. If they were to ever make a film of 'Ripley Underground' the casting would have to be really good to make up for the lack of action. By the second novel Ripley has off and married some vapid French heiress who he spends very little time with, always shoeing her off to spend time with her rich relatives. He spends her money of course and Dickie's inheritance money living the good life in the French countryside, but not much really happens. We learn that Ripley has taken up another con, this time art forgery and with the help of his gay friends in London develops a lucrative business creating original works by an artist that was presumed dead yet lives on to paint for their scheme. A suspicious buyer decides to investigate further and meets his demise at Ripley's hand. The remainder of the novel is spent covering up the buyer's death and clearing the forgery ring of any suspicion. There was a third novel as well but by the end of 'Underground' I was kind of bored with the series so I didn't bother.

by Anonymousreply 66February 23, 2014 1:17 AM

God, r66, could you possibly be more uncomprehending? The series just gets better and better.

by Anonymousreply 67February 23, 2014 2:36 AM

I remember seeing this in theater with my straight roommie I was just falling in love with. I loved the film and he hated it. He later said that the wanted to leave the whole time but didn't want to hurt my feelings. He basically called it a chick flick. The guy was slightly bicurious, though, so maybe he reacted to the film's ambivalent sexuality.

I must admit that I have serious trouble identifying with psychopaths Ripley basically is so that makes it impossible for me to really truly love this film on personal level. But it's done so well that I admire it. And of course the gay undercurrent makes me like it more.

by Anonymousreply 68February 23, 2014 2:48 AM

[quote]The guy was slightly bicurious, though, so maybe he reacted to the film's ambivalent sexuality

AMBIGUOUS. Ambiguous sexuality. Thank you.

by Anonymousreply 69February 23, 2014 4:48 AM

Sorry R69, that's right.

And btw that pic at R63 is just gorgeous.

by Anonymousreply 70February 23, 2014 4:52 AM

I think Goop's character was pretty close to her own personality in Ripley, so not much of a stretch. She was cast against type in Hard Eight and Proof. Both great little unknown gems. She was amazing in both. I wish she would work with PTA again.

by Anonymousreply 71February 23, 2014 4:55 AM

I just watched it on Netflix after not seeing it since it first came out. I can't believe what a shitty actor Matt Damon is. His Ripley is not a hollow man, it's just a hollow performance. And with those teeth he could eat an apple through a picket fence.

by Anonymousreply 72May 4, 2014 6:34 AM

[quote]All I remember about that film is the gorgeous clothes Gwyneth wore and thinking that the clothes wore her. It was like they were designed for Grace Kelly or Eva Marie Saint but on Gwyneth they seemed so pretentious like they were trying to sell Paltrow as an ice cool blond legend. It was so distracting and saddening.

MARY!

by Anonymousreply 73May 4, 2014 7:55 AM

Wasn't Matt in talks to play Chet Baker around this time? This film and his resemblance to Chet made me think he woe have been perfect as the talented but drug addled 50's jazz singer.

by Anonymousreply 74May 4, 2014 11:47 AM

Loved this film when it came out but cannot rewatch it especially when he kills the final guy. It's just disturbing.

by Anonymousreply 75May 4, 2014 12:05 PM

What about those ill-fitting glasses on Damon?

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 76May 4, 2014 4:53 PM

Jack Davenport was also good in this movie

And I loved the late James Rebhorn

by Anonymousreply 77May 4, 2014 5:01 PM

And what about the late Philip Seymour Hoffman? His murder is the best scene in the film.

by Anonymousreply 78May 4, 2014 7:06 PM

I was happy to see the fat Hoffman character die.

Not at all happy to see Davenport's character die.

by Anonymousreply 79May 5, 2014 1:53 AM

Bumping this thread given that this morning's Ripley thread was deleted for god knows what reason. Glitch?

by Anonymousreply 80October 26, 2014 9:39 PM

Thanks for the bump, R80.

I loved this visually stunning film, even with Goopy in it - actually, she held up her end quite well. Cate was perfect as awkward Meredith. Jude never looked better, and PSH stole every scene he was in. I do think Damon overplayed the awkward poseur thing.

My take on Greenleaf Sr. was that he despised Dickie for being weak and lazy, and fell into the fantasy of having a son like Tom Ripley. I think he felt Dickie's demise was perhaps all for the best and that he paid the detective to go through the motions of investigating - perhaps to have a plausible story to tell Dickie's mother.

by Anonymousreply 81October 26, 2014 9:57 PM

The book was written and set in the early 50s, and the film seemed set in the correct time.

by Anonymousreply 82October 26, 2014 10:11 PM

Don't get the hype about this movie, at all. Ordinary performances by Damon and Law. Goop, PSH and Blanchett were great in it but unfortunately the story was some washed out thriller which didn't go anywhere.

by Anonymousreply 83October 26, 2014 10:18 PM

Philip Seymour Hoffman is great in this movie and brings it to much-needed life whenever he hits the scene. The film is otherwise sort of embalmed, with a "trying real hard" non-performance from Damon. Jude would have been better as Ripley, with Damon as the entitled and diffident Dickey. Gwyneth is very sympathetic in this movie. She has ruined her movie legacy and actual talent with the crazed 1% lifestyle mandarin trip.

Ripley is a great character, still very modern, and aside from "Purple Noon", has yet to get his fair due in films.

by Anonymousreply 84October 26, 2014 10:19 PM

This thread is filled with negative nellies!!!!!!!

by Anonymousreply 85October 26, 2014 10:31 PM

Hoffman was the only false and inferior actor in this film, in contrast to what many others think. Damon's character was meant to be false, so I wasn't bothered by that, but Hoffman's Freddie Miles was supposed to be a genuine character who could see through Ripley's falseness. However, I've known many "Freddie Miles" in my life, and Hoffman's portrayal seems as false as that of Damon's. In the scene where Ripley realizes Miles is on to him, and he kills him, I just see that one fake sees into another fake, which causes the fake to murder. Real "Freddies" do not behave like Hoffman did. Hoffman did not ring as genuine.

by Anonymousreply 86October 27, 2014 1:07 AM

Then how would a real Freddie behave, R86?

by Anonymousreply 87October 27, 2014 1:10 AM

Exactly! Prove your point! Love PSH in this movie - he cuts through everybody's shit, self-hating cunt that he (the character) is

by Anonymousreply 88October 27, 2014 1:16 AM

What does this mean?

the crazed 1% lifestyle mandarin trip

by Anonymousreply 89October 27, 2014 1:51 AM

I thought the Freddie guy was very realistic.

by Anonymousreply 90October 27, 2014 2:02 AM

r86's post is not clear to me. What about PSH's performance wasn't believable?

by Anonymousreply 91October 27, 2014 2:09 AM

I think it's a great movie. It transcends the clever novel. It is in part a parable about "identity", what is real about it? Who doesn't lie, hide, misrepresent, pretend? Identity can be bought, and it can be buried. What then is authentic about individuals, what is real in our perception of them? People are entitled to their opinions, but I think Damon gives a remarkably naked, brave performance, particularly for a young actor on the cusp of a major career as a leading man. As a lower class scholarship student at prep school, Princeton (!) and Harvard, I met many people just like PSH in this film, only he's older, nastier than the younger men of that kind that I knew. I also knew guys just like Dickie, flirty, ambiguous sexually, manipulative and cruelly narcissistic. They weren't all as beautiful as Jude Law in this film, but he nailed many of their qualities including a mesmerizing charm that he and all those I knew like him could turn off in a second. I thought Blanchett caught precisely the entitled awkwardness of the character, and conveyed her ambiguity too -- all in about eight minutes of screen time. As I see her performance, she begins to understand that there is something "off" about the "Dickie" she knows, but for all her privilege, she needs what she thinks he can offer her (perhaps her character picks up on his being nonthreatening sexually?). Minghella's casting IMO is impeccable, right down to the two very different Italian detectives, and he gets great performances. I suspect some of the comments here are from people who haven't watched the movie in a long time.

by Anonymousreply 92October 27, 2014 2:36 AM

No body answers my questions.

What happened to all Matt Damon's moles on his face? Seriously, check it out! They're all gone.

by Anonymousreply 93October 27, 2014 2:44 AM

I noticed that too R93. Blasted or cut off, one or the other. He's freaky skinny in this movie.

by Anonymousreply 94October 27, 2014 2:47 AM

R8

Goop is a way better actress than Blanchett, she also doesn't kiss an old pedo's ass.

by Anonymousreply 95October 27, 2014 2:49 AM

I think Damon gives a very fine performance. And he has absolutely the right looks for it. Never a stunner like Jude Law, but cleans up nicely - perfect for the kind of character he's playing.

by Anonymousreply 96October 27, 2014 2:51 AM

A very good movie, in every way

by Anonymousreply 97October 27, 2014 2:52 AM

Goop has never been, nor will ever be the force that Blanchett is, on film or on stage.

And Damon is a dull, limited actor, which is painfully obvious in this film. I understand that Ripley has to misrepresent himself and repress who he is, but Damon does nothing with this great dramatic tool. He is one of those actors who act from scene to scene; there is no overall character arc that makes you realize something new about Ripley at the very end of the film, as his journey comes to an end. It's simply what you see in each scene. If the script brings something new, then you see it, not because of Damon's acting choices.

Great actors reveals something new as the film goes on. They don't take their character for granted and play it by the book, scene by scene.

Blanchett is in the film briefly, yet you only learn about how vulnerable her character is towards the end. She could have made that obvious from the very scene, but she didn't.

by Anonymousreply 98October 27, 2014 2:58 AM

[quote] He is one of those actors who act from scene to scene; there is no overall character arc that makes you realize something new about Ripley at the very end of the film

Yeah, but that ass.

by Anonymousreply 99October 27, 2014 3:00 AM

[quote]Goop has never been, nor will ever be the force that Blanchett is, on film or on stage.

BS, Blanchett is a try hard actress who coasts on her mainstream appeal. Her acting never rises above "I make a face and pretend I know my character"

by Anonymousreply 100October 27, 2014 3:16 AM

I miss Cate Blanchett without her cheek implants!

by Anonymousreply 101October 27, 2014 4:20 AM

I watched Plein Soleil on the recommendation of this thread.It's as if they are telling a different story! Matt Damon presents an insecure, socially awkward outsider; a not very attractive or charismatic 1950s closeted homosexual, who is so twisted from his frustration and suppressed desires that he ends up a serial killer. He is lucky and thinks on his feet, but not at all bright.

Alain Delon's Ripley is beauty and charisma personified, because he is being played by Alain Delon in his absolute prime. Delon's beauty could stop traffic.

So their Ripley is not the same character.

by Anonymousreply 102October 27, 2014 12:30 PM

R11/R37, I thought Delon was miscast in PURPLE NOON, if only because he was too beautiful for the part, especially when compared to Maurice Ronet's Dickie who was anything but.

THe 1999 film got that aspect right, with the then gorgeous Jude Law as Dickie and the frumpy Damon as Ripley.

by Anonymousreply 103October 27, 2014 1:27 PM

R44, I think he meant that there are other Ripley books that should be adapted -- RIPLEY UNDER GROUND, RIPLEY'S GAME, THE BOY WHO FOLLOWED RIPLEY, RIPLEY UNDER WATER -- instead of adapting the same first book again and again. True, there have only been two film adaptations (PURPLE NOON, THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY), but the novel was also previously adapted for television in 1956, as well as a 2009 BBC Radio adaptation and 2010 stage production.

As far as I know, WUTHERIN HEIGHTS was Emily Bronte's one and only book, and the (mis)adventures of its protagonist are not followed in subsequent books. So that's not a good comparison.

by Anonymousreply 104October 27, 2014 1:35 PM

Fans of this film would be well-advised to check out THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY, in theaters now. Oscar Isaac plays a Ripley-esque character named Rydal and it is based on a Highsmith novel. While it is not as effective as either of the Ripley films, it is visually stunning and there are fine performances from the leads, with a generally twisted and fun plotline.

Also, Wim Wenderes adapted one of the other Ripley novels into a film in the 1970s, THE AMERICAN FRIEND. More recently, John Malkovich played Ripley in RIPLEY'S GAME in 2002. I haven't seen either yet so I can't comment on their quality.

by Anonymousreply 105October 27, 2014 6:51 PM

Totally disagree with r86 on almost every point regarding PSH and Freddie Miles in this movie.

Freddie Miles is not at all a fake the way Ripley is: Freddie is firmly ensconced in his wealth and all his privileges. He knows Meredith and her aunt and uncle as well as Marge and the real Dickie (the latter two do not seem to be quite as rich). But he's mean and also a much worse snob than any of the other characters in the film.

Usually that kind of cruel snobbery means that the snob desperately hangs on to the things that he feels give his life meaning (in Freddie's case, money and taste and savoir faire) and exclude others on the basis of not having the things that completely constitute his identity. This is why insecure gym rats are often body snobs; people who go to fancy colleges and/or have Ph.D.s are education snobs, etc. Freddie is a money and savoir faire snob, and an intensely cruel one at that.

In this way Freddie is almost the polar opposite of Tom Ripley, who WANTS everything Freddie has (except he also wants to physically attractive the way Dickie is).

by Anonymousreply 106October 27, 2014 7:16 PM

Bump! (Well, Peter's and Dickie's bloody bumps)

by Anonymousreply 107October 28, 2014 2:03 AM

Cate was amazing. Matt was excellent.

Hated Jude Law when he sang "Americano" wearing that stupid hat.

Philip Seymour Hoffman played his usual annoying self. I was glad when Matt offed him. He's so fat I'm surprised Matt could carry him off.

I hate Goop, but she was okay in this, No special abilities on display.

A good movie based on a good book.

by Anonymousreply 108October 28, 2014 2:45 AM

Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Damon were amazing in the film, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Phillip S Hoffman was brilliant in his short role. Jude Law was gorgeous. As an ensemble, the entire cast pulled it off beautifully.

by Anonymousreply 109October 28, 2014 2:49 AM

All you hateful queens are impossible to discuss films with, as you are too immature to even admit Gwyneth Paltrow's true talent as an actor. She is a REAL woman with looks, brains and more success than you will ever have, and it obviously bothers you so much that you are obsessed with her to the degree that you dedicate threads upon threads in her name. Gwyneth Paltrow is beautiful and talented - so get over it!!!!!!!

by Anonymousreply 110October 28, 2014 2:56 AM

Hi, Blythe!

by Anonymousreply 111October 28, 2014 2:57 AM

[quote] She is a REAL woman with looks, brains and more success than you will ever have, and it obviously bothers you so much that you are obsessed with her to the degree that you dedicate threads upon threads in her name. Gwyneth Paltrow is beautiful and talented - so get over it!!!!!!!

Gwyneth is good in the movie but dial it down a notch.

by Anonymousreply 112October 28, 2014 3:00 AM

need I point out that Goop's parents BOTH were in show biz and had she not had that connection, he would be a clerk at Kohl's or Target?

she is not pretty, not a good actress, she has that weird voice, and she is very conceited and strange.

Sure she is more successful than the average DLer. The average DLer did not have socially prominent, rich, connected parents.

"Oh, Mommy, Daddy, I want to be an actress!"

"Okay my precious. Let's see what I can do!"

by Anonymousreply 113October 28, 2014 3:04 AM

Is it on "delle Croce, just off the Corso?" You're a quick study, aren't you?

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by Anonymousreply 114October 28, 2014 3:20 AM

R113

Oh Martha, get over it. I am better at acting than you are at stock broking.

by Anonymousreply 115October 28, 2014 3:32 AM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 116October 28, 2014 4:04 AM

I can't stand Gwyneth Paltrow, but she was brilliant in her role as Marge. Same for Cate Blanchett and Hoffman.

I love Jude Law, but disliked his character as Dickie Greenleaf, but that's what makes him a great actor in this movie...and, he was drop dead gorgeous!

This was Matt Damon's best role to date.

by Anonymousreply 117October 28, 2014 4:22 AM

I liked all the actors very much but I had never thought of Ripley as being awkward and needy. He's actually more scary the way Damon played him.

by Anonymousreply 118October 28, 2014 4:25 AM

I own this and am going to have to watch it again after reading this thread. The film is such an homage to Hitchcock right down to Goop's french roll at the opera. The camera angles, the cars, the clothes, the suspense, the music. Just perfection. "How's the peeping, Tommy? Tommy, how's the peeping?" Chills, boy. Hoffman was SO menacing and awful as Freddie Miles. But he played the part perfectly so I have zero idea what that other poster was referencing about his performance being "fake." There are some liberties taken with a few things (like Mr. Greenleaf so willingly turning over all that money to Tom after Dickie's death, as others have mentioned) but mostly everyone's motivations and actions are clear and convincing. The story completely draws me in.

by Anonymousreply 119October 28, 2014 4:33 AM

"Matt Damon presents an insecure, socially awkward outsider; a not very attractive or charismatic 1950s closeted homosexual, who is so twisted from his frustration and suppressed desires that he ends up a serial killer."

Every time I've seen this film, I get the feeling that there should be more to the character than Damon is giving us - some intelligence, charm, or slickness that allows him to get away with the shit he pulls. Maybe that's how he was written, but all the best screen sociopaths have something more.

I'm glad Malkovich played the character later, because when I think of what I wanted from the performance, I think of Malkovich in "Dangerous Liasions". Now that was a fascinating and believable screen sociopath, not some ordinary schlub who stumbles into a life of crime!

by Anonymousreply 120October 28, 2014 5:12 AM

Goops was fine, but come on, playing Marge was hardly a stretch for her - waspy, wealthy white girl expat dabbling in the arts. Blanchett created a character while Paltrow played herself.

by Anonymousreply 121October 28, 2014 5:25 AM

I love this movie. I think Matt Damon could have played the psychopathic undercurrents of Ripley a bit better though - instead of just the confused awkward aspect.

I think PSH was brilliant - I still think it's one of his best roles. Having read the book, I thought it was amazing how he was so much crueller than Freddie is in the book. He wasn't just a suspicious elitist friend but a really cruel, cruel bully.

I didn't enjoy the other Ripley books as much - I feel like they ran out of steam.

by Anonymousreply 122October 28, 2014 5:51 AM

On the DVD commentary, Anthony Minghella is so reverential toward Cate Blanchett (deservedly) for her performance in it, and gives her full credit for making her character so three-dimensional.

One thing she and he talked about was that her character is the sort of girl who obsessively writes down everything that happens to her in her diary--if you see the film with this in mind you see it makes perfect sense for the way she plays her character.

by Anonymousreply 123October 28, 2014 5:58 AM

Blanchett is wonderful in the film. You feel for her character at the end, because she waits to reveal all the vulnerabilities in the last couple of scenes. It doesn't surprise me at all that Minghella loved her.

Goop is not even in the same league as Blanchett. What a silly idea.

by Anonymousreply 124October 28, 2014 6:24 AM

Regardless of its incongruities, this is one of my favorite films, and a rare instance in which I prefer the film more than the book.

by Anonymousreply 125October 28, 2014 6:41 AM

I just finished watching 'The Two Faces of January' and it was great!

by Anonymousreply 126October 28, 2014 11:28 AM

Is Ripley still a closeted homosexual in the rest of the books?

by Anonymousreply 127October 28, 2014 9:49 PM

[quote] Goops was fine, but come on, playing Marge was hardly a stretch for her - waspy, wealthy white girl expat dabbling in the arts. Blanchett created a character while Paltrow played herself.

Marge is rather sympathetic. Goop completely fails at that in real life. If only she was Marge.

by Anonymousreply 128October 28, 2014 9:57 PM

Loved this film. They don't make them like this anymore...

by Anonymousreply 129October 28, 2014 10:27 PM

I thought Gwen was good in the role, I didn't have any problem with her performance. Frankly, I'm pretty sure in real life, Kate Blanchette is a bitch.

by Anonymousreply 130October 28, 2014 10:35 PM

I'm pretty sure in real life Cate Blanchett spells her name correctly.

by Anonymousreply 131October 29, 2014 1:14 AM

[quote]Is Ripley still a closeted homosexual in the rest of the books?

I have not read the books, so this is second hand information and may not be reliable (it was here on DL), but that talented Mr. Ripley explored the gay subtext the most and that it is less dominant in the remaining stories.

by Anonymousreply 132October 29, 2014 1:27 AM

This didn't exist past Venice.

by Anonymousreply 133October 29, 2014 4:32 AM

Ripley: opportunistic, bisexual behavior (having sex with rich men and women); actual sexual orientation: gay.

by Anonymousreply 134October 29, 2014 5:05 AM

[all posts by tedious, racist idiot removed.]

by Anonymousreply 135October 29, 2014 7:23 AM

Goop has done way more edgy and interesting work than this movie.

She is a very good actress, completely disappears into her character. Can't say that about Blanchett, although I thought she was pretty good in Ripley.

by Anonymousreply 136October 30, 2014 10:36 AM

I love everything about this movie and always record it if I see it on. Matt Damon is fantastic and really deserved a nomination that year (I'd say that he and Christopher Plummer [The Insider] were the two biggest snubs that year). It really is probably Damon's best work actually.

Jude Law is just perfect as Dickie Greenleaf. Gwyneth (for once) completely nails her role, mostly due to the fact that she's playing an affected American snob. I agree with R128 that she really should just act like Marge in her daily life. It would be a vast improvement on her "GOOP." And even the smaller roles are exquisitely rendered from Cate Blanchett's ill-confident Meredith Logue to Philip Seymour Hoffman's perfectly contemptuous Freddie Miles. And the late James Rebhorn turns in wonderful work as well.

1999 was such a banner year for film and this is worth revisiting time and time again. Whereas, I've never seen American Beauty more than twice.

by Anonymousreply 137May 3, 2015 1:34 AM

the film is nothing like the book. Nothing.

by Anonymousreply 138May 3, 2015 2:02 AM

Everyone in this film was at the very apex of their attractiveness.

WTF? PSH was one of the ugliest men in Hollywood ever. Built like a fire hydrant and a face that not even a mother could love.

NEVER got his "acting genius." Always seemed like an ahole.

by Anonymousreply 139May 3, 2015 3:42 AM

Damon is miscast--someone who is better at playing chameleons would have been a better choice. Peter Saarsgard would have been better.

Paltrow is quite good in her role and Blanchett nails it as the person you run into when you won't want to see them again. PSH also was good. Jack Davenport never got enough recognition for his role. Jude Law was at his best here physically and this is one of his better performances.

by Anonymousreply 140May 3, 2015 4:23 AM

bump

by Anonymousreply 141October 13, 2015 7:48 AM

I don't get this movie, Damon was not very convincing and Law did his usual try hard acting. Paltrow, PSH and Blanchett were the only interesting and watchable thing in this movie.

by Anonymousreply 142October 13, 2015 8:46 AM

I barely remember it. I know I saw it, but I remember nothing about it.

by Anonymousreply 143October 13, 2015 11:11 AM

Plein Soleil is the better film, by far, but I do love this one. I completely disagree with the couple of posters saying that PSH wasn't good in the film. He's amazing in it. The two best performances by far are Cate Blanchett and PSH. The reason that Goop "disappears" into her role is because she can't act and therefore can only be herself; therefore there's no role there on the screen, just her saying the lines. Blanchett and Hoffman, on the other hand, are great actors because they can create and maintain a performance of a character, which is original and compelling. It really annoys me when people praise "invisible acting". Most of the time it's due to a lack of talent.

by Anonymousreply 144October 13, 2015 2:31 PM

Bump

by Anonymousreply 145October 13, 2015 6:42 PM

Now watching it again -

Beautiful, all of it. They were all so beautiful then. No CGI, no electronic, computerized enhancements to the film, thankfully.

Italy . . .

by Anonymousreply 146January 20, 2018 11:05 PM

Terribly underrated film, I love everything- not even Matt Damon ruins it for me.

by Anonymousreply 147January 20, 2018 11:09 PM

I have to admit I still hold a grudge against Matt Damon as an actor simply because his character lived in this film after smashing beautiful gorgeous Jude Law to death. I underrated the movie for the same reason. Setting aside the Law grudge, I do have mix feelings with Damon's portrayal of Ripley. I felt Ripley should have been someone who was charismatic enough to get away with all that he did. I haven't seen it since..wow, since when it was in the theaters. Maybe if I rewatch, I will appreciate Damon and Minghella's decision to play Ripley as a non-descript nobody who killed to not be that person anymore.

by Anonymousreply 148January 20, 2018 11:58 PM

hey, what am i, chopped live?

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by Anonymousreply 149January 21, 2018 12:06 AM

I want to buy the villa where Marge and Dickie had lived.

by Anonymousreply 150January 21, 2018 12:07 AM

R150 do u have a pic?

by Anonymousreply 151January 22, 2018 2:27 PM

R108 is absolutely right. I hate that singing and that hat. I hate people who wear them today who think they are so chic.

Look ridiculous in those damn hats, as do the hipsters trying to be the 7 dwarfs in their beanies.

Philip is a terrible actor in all his films, plays himself, a fat frustrated cocksucker.

I loved the Italian landlady, "Deeeky!"

by Anonymousreply 152January 22, 2018 2:46 PM

I'm available for another re-make!

by Anonymousreply 153January 22, 2018 3:06 PM

Is Dickie bi-curious?

by Anonymousreply 154September 24, 2018 6:23 AM

I love you, Jack Davenport/r149! I actually did develop a crush on Mr. Davenport after seeing this film. Was shattered to find out he is straight and married to a woman.

by Anonymousreply 155September 24, 2018 9:17 AM

I just had a re-watch of this after being out at a bar that was playing Purple Noon in the background, which I didn't realize was the original film. The cast was excellent. Their beauty juxtaposed against the Italian Riviera was amazing. Now in 2018, I would love to see more films like this. It would be interesting to see how much further they could have explored Ripley's sexuality. Now much older, I can really see that there was an incredible chemistry between Law and Damon. I could see Dickie Greenleaf being the type of decadent individual who could be pansexual just because. Really enjoyed it after all these years.

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by Anonymousreply 156November 5, 2018 4:03 PM

I liked everything about the movie, the music, the photography, the local, the actors. I thought Damon was great. I know everybody has the hots for Jude Law but i think Damon is way way hotter. I havent ever been to Italy and assume the film was shot on location and especially enjoyed that part. The music was ultra lush. Maybe Im just easy to please/ outstanding movie

by Anonymousreply 157November 5, 2018 8:52 PM

Call me Blythe Danner but I thought that Gwyneth deserved a Supporting Actress nomination, she was THAT good-

And PSH deserved the Supporting nomination over Jude by a mile.

She had a few "Oscar" scenes that I thought she nailed.

One of my favorite films.

by Anonymousreply 158November 5, 2018 10:08 PM

good movie but you just can't outshine the original Delon. That was a star making performance, and the original movie holds up very well today

by Anonymousreply 159November 5, 2018 10:12 PM

When I think of this film I think of Jude Law. He was the standout to me. I found his performance brilliant and wanted him to win that Oscar.

GOOP was quite strong in this and this may be her best performance.

by Anonymousreply 160November 5, 2018 10:52 PM

This languorous film was lovely to look at. But then the story meandered off in a different direction in the last half hour.

It was annoying with it's cryptic representation of Ripley's penile desires.

Blankett looked fab in her few short scenes— so much so I wonder that she should have got the main tole instead of that broken-nosed Paltrow woman.

by Anonymousreply 161November 5, 2018 11:18 PM

Can someone answer this for me? How was Tom ever going to get away with impersonating someone of whom everyone knew was dead? If anything, it seems to me that Cate's character was the one he should have gotten rid of.

by Anonymousreply 162November 5, 2018 11:26 PM

Jude's cleft jawline was the star of this film.

But Time waits for no man.

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by Anonymousreply 163November 5, 2018 11:34 PM

I would still let him get it R163

by Anonymousreply 164November 5, 2018 11:36 PM

The only Highsmith I've read is the last one, the one written on her deathbed.

It's bad writing but at least the hero is explicitly homosexual.

by Anonymousreply 165November 5, 2018 11:36 PM

R162, she was with relatives who would wonder about her whereabouts

by Anonymousreply 166November 6, 2018 1:01 AM

R159 You say 'the original movie holds up very well today'. But it's in black and white isn't it?

I can't watch black and white. And Alain Delon can only appeal to twink-lovers. He may have been pretty in the face but had no body at all!

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by Anonymousreply 167November 6, 2018 1:34 AM

[quote] Their beauty juxtaposed against the Italian Riviera was amazing.

This movie was filmed in Southern Italy - Italian Riviera is in the north.

by Anonymousreply 168November 6, 2018 2:16 AM

Damon was the weak link. And it really stands out. His Tom never made sense.

by Anonymousreply 169November 6, 2018 3:35 AM

^ I agree. Was Tom gay or not?

Damon was too worried by his expanding waistline to make a coherent character.

by Anonymousreply 170November 6, 2018 3:38 AM

Ah, the beauty of youth -

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by Anonymousreply 171November 6, 2018 3:38 AM

Oh Jude, what hath time wrought?!

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by Anonymousreply 172November 6, 2018 3:44 AM

R167 Purple Noon was not filmed in black and white. Henri Decae, the cinematographer, was a genius.

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by Anonymousreply 173November 6, 2018 3:52 AM

Billy Wilder used Henri Decae.

by Anonymousreply 174November 6, 2018 4:18 AM

This thread has been going in consistently for 5 years, I love it

by Anonymousreply 175November 6, 2018 4:39 AM

R167: the original is in glorious technicolor, and only a 'roid queen would say Delon's body is underdeveloped. He looked like a greek god to me, face and body. So gorgeous and elegant.

by Anonymousreply 176November 6, 2018 8:48 PM

[quote] the original is in glorious technicolor

I hate to sound nit-picky, but it was made in Eastmancolor, not Technicolor.

by Anonymousreply 177November 6, 2018 9:52 PM

R167, I think his body looks great. I’ve never seen this image before and I quite like it.

by Anonymousreply 178November 6, 2018 9:55 PM

"I can't watch balck and white". RETARDED MILLENNIAL ALERT!!

by Anonymousreply 179November 6, 2018 10:53 PM

R176, Like his compatriot Bardot, Delon did not age particularly well.

But he was a GOD in his younger years. Never a man as beautiful has graced the Silver Screen, and I am fully aware of "Long, Hot Summer" Paul Newman, the luminous Montgomery Clift, the lush-lashed Tyrone Power, and the glorious Romeo of Leonard Whiting.

by Anonymousreply 180November 6, 2018 11:20 PM

R179 is a retarded elderly Trump voter who calls anyone he doesn't like a "millennial"

by Anonymousreply 181November 6, 2018 11:33 PM

I know a lot of people don't like Cate Blanchett, but say what you will I thought she was fantastic in the smallish part as the annoying southern heiress who was always there always waving frantically with a huge grin. The same with Paltrow and her performance...great lines when she suspects Ripley... "Just look at you now..to the manor born."

by Anonymousreply 182November 6, 2018 11:38 PM

R103 You say Alain Delon was "miscast in PURPLE NOON, if only because he was too beautiful for the part".

The poster illustration does make his face rather unattractive.

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by Anonymousreply 183November 9, 2018 12:53 AM

Why again op? It was good but one viewing is enough.

by Anonymousreply 184November 9, 2018 1:11 AM

Dear R184 this movie isn't a box of CornFlakes. A lot of people consider Cinema as a work of art just like Literature is work of art worthy of being enjoyed multiple times.

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by Anonymousreply 185November 9, 2018 3:16 AM

I remember Paltrow saying she had a fab time in Italy eating pasta.

But poor Matt was starving himself because he showed fat so easily.

by Anonymousreply 186November 9, 2018 10:12 PM

Thought all the actors were great...I did love the movie. I feel sure I read the book but I can't remember it now.

by Anonymousreply 187November 9, 2018 10:20 PM

He kinda looks like a tall Richard Burton in that poster r183.

by Anonymousreply 188November 9, 2018 10:24 PM

I thought all of the actors were great! Espeically Law. Who doesn't love a stylish Mediterranean thriller set in the galmourous 1950's. Especially loved the Jazz club scene in Naples. I wanted to be Jude Law when I saw this but then again he ended up dead.

by Anonymousreply 189November 9, 2018 10:27 PM

Who's digging up these old threads? This is from 2014. Please don't tell me creativity's dead on dear ol' DL.

by Anonymousreply 190November 9, 2018 10:36 PM

But, R190, creativity IS dead!

This thread is about a REMAKE from a slender crime story from the 1950s.

by Anonymousreply 191November 9, 2018 10:48 PM

Would you prefer somebody started a new thread, r190, so that you could scold "do a search!"?

by Anonymousreply 192November 9, 2018 11:39 PM

I became a bit obsessed with Jude Law after seeing this film. He was incredibly charming and charismatic

by Anonymousreply 193November 9, 2018 11:47 PM

Yes, Jude was incredibly charming and charismatic and the character he was playing was incredibly RICH.

by Anonymousreply 194November 10, 2018 12:20 AM

My favorite scenes are all the ones with PSH as the cruel, snobbish Freddy; and the heartbreaking scene where Dickie cheerfully breaks it off with Tom outside a train station ("Our last trip!"). Matt Damon registered that rejection very well.

by Anonymousreply 195November 10, 2018 12:25 AM

I never liked PSH. Never. I’ve never seen him in a role that I actually loved him in. Always felt I can see him acting. Still do when I see some of his work.

by Anonymousreply 196November 10, 2018 12:40 AM

PSH had many excellent performances.

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by Anonymousreply 197November 10, 2018 12:56 AM

Bumping the most recent of several threads I found. Watching this now, for probably the seventh or so time. I love seeing rich 1950s people swanning around in Italy. The performances are delectable. My favorites are Jude Law, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman, all so despicably upper class. Cate manages to make her character sympathetic.

Gwyneth is good, too, although sometimes she seems to be "acting." Like the line I just heard her deliver- "Please come and lunch with us before you go, yes?" She's so obviously imitating Grace Kelly in the way she pronounces her words.

Anyone care to hash it over, yet again?

by Anonymousreply 198May 5, 2019 12:24 PM

The scene where Tom croons "My Funny Valentine" a la Chet Baker while Dickie gives him dreamy looks and blows away on the sax is the peak of the Tom-Dickie "romance."

by Anonymousreply 199May 5, 2019 12:36 PM

I agree R198 and Goop did an admirable Grace Kelly impression. Add to that the jazzy score and it is perfection.

by Anonymousreply 200May 5, 2019 1:48 PM

Goop was good in this and Endgame.

by Anonymousreply 201May 5, 2019 2:36 PM

Suck my tits boys

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by Anonymousreply 202December 22, 2020 3:56 PM

I love this film and am happy to discuss it once more.

It was desperately sad that Tom felt he had no option but to kill Peter. If I were him, I would have told Peter about the deception with Meredith and asked him to play along. But as we have seen, the social circle they were in was quite small and what would happen when they got off the boat? Everyone knew Dickie was dead. And after Tom killed poor Peter...his only option would be to hide out in North Africa or the Middle East because he had quite a trail of corpses behind him. Marge would have surely broadcast her suspicions far and wide. Peter's family would be sure to open an investigation.

Another plot hole - Tom was 25. In the seven years he had been out of school, the best job he could get was as a men's room attendant? And even then, being gay, he could have found a rich sugar daddy who would have helped him advance.

For me, the highlight of the film was Jack Davenport. He elegance, refinement, reserve, and beauty made the American men look crude and uncultivated in comparison.

by Anonymousreply 203December 22, 2020 5:30 PM

R203 what did you make of the book?

by Anonymousreply 204December 22, 2020 6:41 PM

I haven't read it, R204. (R203)

by Anonymousreply 205December 22, 2020 8:03 PM

There's no bath scene in the book!

Why did Tom scuttle the boat instead of washing the blood off?

by Anonymousreply 206December 23, 2020 10:06 AM

I watched it the other night. Hadn't seen it in at least a decade. I loved it all over again. Even Goop.

by Anonymousreply 207December 23, 2020 2:39 PM
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