MovieChat Forums > The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Discussion > People root for Tom because he is the ma...

People root for Tom because he is the main character, and played by Matt

posted 9 years ago by HyBarry
3 replies | jump to latest

Just watched this again after 15 years... Still an interesting movie and it brings memories.

Looking at Tom now. I think many (including me), rooted for Tom because the story is told through him and Matt Damon is a charming young guy. I don't think Dickie deserves to be murdered on the boat like that and no justice for Tom. Sure, Dickie was a jackass, a murderer according to his father, and a cheater. However, there was nothing wrong with getting annoyed by Tom. Tom was a nobody, a gay man who is delusional about Dickie, and wanted to stay in Dickie's lifestyle.

Tom almost walked away from a perfect crime. That was just too wonderful until he was trapped in a ship with Meredith and Peter. Killing Peter would prevent blowing off the cover... but was that really the best choice? How could he run away again when people find out his roommated is missing? Eventually the ship will dock and people would find out. It is equally risky for Tom to drag Peter's body out at night and dump it into the ocean.

Tom could have just told Meredith he is laying low with Peter, and ask her to pretend she never met him on the ship. Meredith would buy it, assuming Tom would take her out on a date again in the near future or something.

To me, he made the first mistake by telling Meredith he is Dickie. He should have known it was trouble after meeting her again in Rome, and found out she knew Freddie. Even thought it was the 50's. It's possible that somebody would have a photo of Dickie and Meredith would find out who's the real Dickie is. His relationship with Meredith would be over once she got back to the States anyway. Killing off Peter did very little to prolong the lies at that point.

Everything became a big mess and there was no way out. What a turn of events. He wanted the lifestyle, and he had a taste. He should have just savored what he had, and known his place. Just enjoy their last trip, go back to NYC and pocketed the $1000. The worst turn of the movie was Tom killing Freddie. What was he trying to accomplish? He couldn't pretend to be Dickie and live in that apartment forever.

[–] Quicksilver1900 9 years ago

Tom could have just told Meredith he is laying low with Peter, and ask her to pretend she never met him on the ship. Meredith would buy it, assuming Tom would take her out on a date again in the near future or something.

No.

1. Everyone knew Peter was gay, and Meredith would have been outraged that Tom (Dickie) was living with him in a little cabin.

2. Meredith would have told everyone she had seen 'Dickie' on the boat.

His best option would have been to tell Peter he had made up a cock and bull story to Meredith months earlier about being Dickie and ask Peter to stay inside with him. Peter was besotted enough to have done it.

[–] HyBarry 9 years ago

In the 1950's, openly gay? And Meredith would go outrage? I see that unlikely. Meredith is so attracted to Dickie, she would believe anything he says.

It's easier to manipulate her. Tom is a half decent job but he should really say something like he is running away from the police and she needed to keep her mouth shut about seeing him on the boat. She thought she was doing him a favor and also not to get into contact with Peter. After getting off the boat he should have disappeared from Meredith's circle anyway. The kiss was well played, but unfortunately it was seen by Peter. Hey the movie needed the final turn of events, right?

Peter is the tricky part but he could have just breakup with him or something (after the boat trip), and then disappear. He didn't need to kill him on the boat. As far as the law is concerned, Tom is free. He just have to never run into the Italian police again. Mr Greenleaf seems to believe Tom's bs enough and no future investigation would be done on the matter.

[–] Quicksilver1900 9 years ago

But what would happen when Peter and Meredith ran into each other on the boat and Meredith said 'Dickie' was there as well? That is why he killed Peter. In my view, unnecessarily, because Peter would have been easy to cajole into playing along.