Writer/Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Matt Damon
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood that earned fame several years ago are as celebrated as Gwyneth Paltrow. Since her rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Paltrow has become a celebrated icon. Whether it’s Shakespearean figures, bold con-artists or feminist figures in literature, the actress has played several strong characters. Arguably, Paltrow’s strength as a performer is her commitment to her craft. She has always been one of those rare actresses which pours both her heart and soul into every role. Shining bright light in darkness, Paltrow has been an icon in the entertainment business. Through an ability to play strong feminist characters that are inspiring, Paltrow has built a legacy that’s lasting. An actress with strong commitment to her craft, Paltrow has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout her long-lasting career, the legendary actress has appeared in many films which are definitely without a single doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Paltrow and adore all the films she has created in her career. However, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is my favourite. Since its release in 1999, Paltrow’s movie has stood the test of time as a crime classic. Packed with breathtaking production-design, spellbinding storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about con-artists. At the centre of it all is a great performance by Matt Damon, who portrays a clever con-artist planning crimes that are shocking. Ultimately, what makes “The Talented Mr. Ripley” a crime classic is its strong appeal. Unlike most films about con-artists, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. A spellbinding classic about con-artists, there are countless reasons why “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is a film which is definitely without a single doubt worth watching.
Based on the beloved book, “The Talented Mr. Ripley tells a story of a talented con-artist that commits crimes that are rarely detected. Matt Damon plays Tom Ripley, a calculating young man with the talent for committing cons. Tom has often believed it’s better to become a fake somebody even if it involves deceitful crimes. When he’s hired by a wealthy U.S. shipbuilder to investigate his son, Ripley’s dreams turn in reality. Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) is a rich playboy living a life of luxury with his wife in Italy. Using his ingenuity, Ripley manages to work his way into the life of a rich billionaire. However, what appears to be a simple plan turns disastrous when Ripley’s decisions to commit crimes cause disaster. Faced with a dilemma, Ripley begins to question whether he’s able to commit crimes without facing a price to pay. As shocking evidence about his crimes comes to light, Ripley discovers the painful consequences of being a con-artist causing a plight.
Anthony Minghella is a newcomer towards the stories of con-artists. Before he directed “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, Minghella never directed a movie about con-artists before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a beloved book about con-artists on the big-screen, but he succeeds tremendously. Through stunning cinematography, Minghella captures a clever con-artist committing crimes causing painful consequences which are frightening. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as stunning as crimes that Tom Ripley seeks to organize. Minghella deftly uses montages to capture a con-artist committing crimes which are shocking. For instance, montages elevate the opening scene. During this stunning scene, Ripley is introduced to audiences through an engaging montage showing him committing crimes. Through these ingenious montages, Minghella creates a strong character which audiences can easily relate to. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven” suggested, montages elevate classic films about casino heists. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Minghella captures the hardships that con-artists which commit shocking crimes that are undetected are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” that’s worth praising is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Minghella has always excelled at thrived costumes in his movies to demonstrate characters, and his strengths are evident in “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Minghella effectively uses costumes to demonstrate the transformation of con-artists. Throughout the movie, Ripley’s costumes showcase his strong transformation into a con-artist. For instance, costumes elevate the murder aftermath scene. During this unforgettable scene, Ripley dresses up as Dickie impersonating the wealthy figure following murder. One acknowledges powerful costumes capturing the transformations of a young college student into a clever con-artist. Through these stunning costumes, Minghella captures the tense hardships that con-artists go through. Moreover, the music is memorable. Gabriel Yared’s music is crucial to success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that con-artists bear. Through phenomenal production-design, Minghella captures the lives of con-artists that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is a captivating classic which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses foreshadowing to capture the tensions that con-artists committing crimes are enduring. Minghella’s strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture con-artists committing crime using foreshadowing. Throughout the movie, Minghella uses subtle hints to signal dangerous crimes Tom Ripley is committing. For instance, foreshadowing enhances the impersonation scene. During this memorable scene, Tom gives Dickie an impersonation of his father that’s spot-on signalling his skills as a con-artist. One appreciates foreshadowing hinting at dangers that con-artists are facing. Foreshadowing is a tricky technique to use in movies. As David Fincher’s “Se7en claimed, foreshadowing elevates commemorated movies about serial killers. Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” hinted foreshadowing elevates classic horror movies about isolation. Nevertheless, it succeeds in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Minghella captures clever con-artists that face a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his finest career performances as Tom Ripley. Damon gained recognition for playing janitors searching for meaning in dramas. With “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to capture the personality of a con-artist committing crimes that are haunting but Damon succeeded immensely. This is the star unlike you have ever seen him in the past: tense, charismatic and emotional on his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and trauma of a con-artist committing crimes with negative consequences that are frightening. It’s a breathtaking performance from one of the most commemorated actors working in Hollywood today.
Gwyneth Paltrow is powerful as a woman that becomes tragic victim of a con-artist causing sorrow. Paltrow is known for playing romantic heroines in period pieces. With “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, however, she took on her most bold role. It isn’t easy to portray a woman which is deceived by a con-artist but she succeeded immensely. As Marge, Paltrow effectively uses her expressions to capture a woman which is victimized by con-artists experiencing despair. Whether she’s expressing shock over Dickie’s sudden disappearance or forming a friendship with Tom, Paltrow crafts a strong heroine that is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented actresses in the film industry today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Jude Law. As a mischievous playboy, he brings palpable tension to the movie.
Finally, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of con-artists facing tragedy. Unlike most movies about con-artists, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would relate to. The film tackles meaningful themes such as identities, crime and trauma which would strike a chord with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the book to appreciate the movie. The film delivers a meaningful message about dangers posed by con-artists that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” is one of those rare commemorated movies about con-artists everyone would adore.
Fans of Gwyneth Paltrow would appreciate “The Talented Mr. Ripley’s and so would movie-goers seeking tense entertainment. A captivating classic about clever con-artists, it honours an actress that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about talented con-artists with skill for impersonation committing crimes that are shocking with consequences that prove frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress that has earned a huge fan following achieving global recognition for her abilities to portray larger-than-life women that are compelling in captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 