How far would you go to become someone else?

Here’s director Minghella’s sophisticated, good-looking remake of the less complex but equally gorgeous classic Purple Noon (1960), featuring a fine performance by Mr. Damon as Tom Ripley, the psychopath who makes friends with a wealthy young man (Law) in Italy, then kills him and absorbs his identity. The homosexual subtext is well handled, and so is the game between these people. The Italian locations are attractive, Law worth a look in his break-through as the fun-loving Dickie, and Hoffman excellent as his arrogant friend. It’s a long movie, but consistently interesting right through the disturbing ending.

1999-U.S. 140 min. Color. Produced by William Horberg, Tom Sternberg. Written and directed by Anthony Minghella. Novel: Patricia Highsmith. Cinematography: John Seale. Music: Gabriel Yared. Cast: Matt Damon (Tom Ripley), Gwyneth Paltrow (Marge Sherwood), Jude Law (Richard ”Dickie” Greenleaf), Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Davenport.

Trivia: Tom Cruise was allegedly considered for the part of Tom Ripley. The character next appeared in Ripley’s Game (2003).

BAFTA: Best Supporting Actor (Law).

Published by Stefan Hedmark 2006-10-08 14:44

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