DRAMA
He has the talent to be anyone else.

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley a young man who is hired by Herbert Greenleaf, a wealthy shipbuilder played by James Rebhorn. The year is 1958 as Tom Ripley is sent to the sunny shores of Italy to try and convince Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) to return back home to America and train to take over for his father. Playboy Dickie is living the beautiful life with Marge Smallwood, his girlfriend played by Gwyneth Paltrow. While trying to convince Dickie to return stateside Tom begins to enjoy and admire the lazy, carefree life they lead and wants to live it as well.

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He becomes Dickie's companion and soon Tom ignores his purpose and spends the expense with Dickie. Tom loves the life and when it is finally threatened people die. The deceptions begin as Tom Ripley tries to hang on to this lifestyle he has learned to love. No one can stand in his way. As the story progresses we learn that Dickie holds many secrets, he is not all that he seems.

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For all the drama and suspense in this film it is not an ordinary thriller, it seems at times to border on being a romantic movie. The film wanders all over Italy and treats us to beautiful scenery and locales. The film comes alive with classical and jazz music. It also treats us to some excellent acting by all the actors but I especially enjoyed Philip Seymour Hoffman who plays Freddie Miles a playboy friend of Dickie who suspects the intentions of Tom Ripley. I enjoyed him recently in the new Robert DeNiro film FLAWLESS. He was the best part of that movie. He also starred in BOOGIE NIGHTS, PATCH ADAMS, TWISTER and soon he will appear with Tom Cruise in MAGNOLIA. Watch him he is only going to get better.

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THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY clocks in at two and a half hours and in many places it drags but everything progresses the plot along nicely. I found too many plot twists and surprises just too convenient and they seemed to take away from the story. I did not like the ending as I found it too abrupt as if the director realized the story was running too long. Either that or they were running out of film. I know, maybe, I'm being too critical, but to quote a metal robot named Box from Logan's Run, It's my job!"

It is worth seeing but remember except for a few scenes this is not an action film but the jazz music and the scenery is worth the money. Let's see if it gets any nominations this year.

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Cast and Credits: Starring:Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Jack Davenport, Caterina Deregibus, Philip Baker Hall, Philip Seymour Hoffmanx, James Rebhorn & Stefania Rocca Directed by Anthony Minghella Written by Patricia Highsmith (novel) & Anthony Minghella Produced by Sydney Pollack Distributed byParamount Pictures Rating USA... PG-13 for scenes of violence and harsh language Rating Canada... AA for scenes of violence and language Read Another Review Of This Film Read Still Another Review Of This Film

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