A borrowed Princeton jacket changes the life of Tom Ripley in this slick Italy-set thriller as the amorality of Ripley is confronted by privilege and envy.
Filling in as a piano accompanist at a New York penthouse party in the 1950s, Ripley (Matt Damon) claims to know the Princeton-educated son of the host, wealthy shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn). Turns out Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) is, according to dad, wasting his life away in Italy – and promptly hires Tom to bring him back to the States. So begins a twisting, engrossing narrative as, like a leech, Ripley attaches himself to Dickie and Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow) and soaks in the luxury offered. When this is threatened, extreme measures are needed.
The edge to Patricia Highsmith’s source novel may be missing in Anthony Minghella’s adaptation, but the luxuriant indulgence of life in Italy for the Americans is voyeuristically appealing, creating an engaging gloss of a story.
Nominated for 5 Oscars in 2000 including best supporting actor (Law), adapted screenplay, soundtrack (Gabriel Yared)
Rating: 73%
Director: Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain, The English Patient)
Writer: Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain, The English Patient)
Main cast: Matt Damon (The Martian, The Last Duel), Jude Law (Cold Mountain, A Rainy Day in New York), Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love, She Said)
An Opinion or Two 