The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

My Review

“The Talented Mr. Ripley” is a psychological thriller movie about a con artist who is hired by a wealthy New York businessman to go to Italy to persuade his son to return home. After failing, he takes extreme measures and the situation rapidly disintegrates. British director-screenwriter Anthony Minghella (“The English Patient” 1996) skillfully put together this slow peeling away of psychological layers of the con man and the people around him to make an unforgettable two hours and twenty minutes of motion picture. It was adapted from the 1955 novel of the same name by Patricia Highsmith.

There were riveting performances by the actors, especially Matt Damon in the lead role. Co-stars include Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack Davenport, James Rebhorn, Sergio Rubini, Philip Baker Hall, Celia Weston, Rosario Fiorello, Stephania Rocca, Ivano Marescotti, Silvana Bosi, and Lisa Eichhorn as Mrs. Greenleaf.

The dramatic roller coaster of a film called “The Talented Mr. Ripley” was very successful at the box office for Miramax, Mirage Enterprises, Timnick Films, Paramount Pictures, Buena Vista International, and The Walt Disney Company . It was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor (Law), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, and Best Costume Design. Another star of the show we must mention is the beautiful filming in and around Positano, Italy. Great cinematography by John Seale.