MovieChat Forums > The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Discussion > Was Great Until...

Was Great Until...

posted 11 years ago by Melissaslist
24 replies | jump to latest

I saw this way back when the theater and loved the first half. Or maybe the first quarter. More specifically up until Dicky was killed. He imho was the best part of the movie. Jude Law was gorgeous and flawless as the rich playboy spending his fathers money living it up in Italy.

Funny because Dicky accused Tom of being "quite boring" and went on and on with this until Tom snapped and killed him. But as soon as Dicky was gone the movie itself became pretty boring and pretty absurd too.

Tom was definitely clever and a master of deceit. I found it interesting up until Freddy's murder when Freddy was completely onto Tom. After this the police investigation, Dicky's dad, Marge and all the manipulations Tom did to cover his tracks and his ass just became more and more ridiculous. Insult to injury was that Marge FINALLY upon seeing Tom with Dicky's ring hallelujah put two and two together but then when she TRIED in vain to tell Dicky's dad about what was really happening he just chalked it up to her being a hysterical female and completely lacked any credibility. This upon hearing about the potential murder of his son by Tom and he just refused to even consider this possibility.

but I suppose it comes back to the shear lunacy that some very wealthy businessman would hire a kid he doesn't know to fetch his son from Europe to bring him back to the states and fund with all kinds of money and then at the very end give him Dicky's trust fund. I suppose at the end of this movie Tom really HAD become Dicky. His fantasy was to live Dicky's life and had to do everything within his power to destroy anything or anyone who would prevent this from going forward.

I still think the second half of this movie was boring and disappointing.

[–] DryToast 11 years ago

Funny, the things you describe disliking about the movie are exactly what I liked.

The movie shows a seemingly not dangerous guy allow a misunderstanding to turn into a lie until it grows and grows and he finds himself in a situation where he is committing more and more serious crimes that he would never have done had he just said in the first place, "Oh no, sir, I worked for a while as piano tuner at Princeton but I was never a student and I didn't know your son -- allow me to get you some more punch."

Watching Tom covering his tracks after Dickie's death -- and the improbable (but, to me, convincing) way he manages to get away with it -- were fascinating to me. I actually thought that was the better part of the movie.

The only thing that might have improved the movie for me would have been the casting of someone more appealing than Jude Law as Dickie. I thought Law was terrific as a mechanical man in A.I. and as the rat-faced assassin in Road to Perdition, but I couldn't see him as the guy whose attention everybody wants. I just had to suspend my disbelief for that.

I believe the film tells the story it wants to tell and does so exceedingly well, and the plot elements you found boring are merely a part of that story, so I would have to judge the film, overall, a success.

"You must sing him your prettiest songs, then perhaps he will want to marry you."

[–] ms_chele21 11 years ago

Thats the first time I ever saw Jude Law and I fell in love with everything about him. His beautiful tan, hair, body, and style. He looked absolutely gorgeous! Had I first saw him in A.I. I may have your same sentiment.

[–] BoSoxRule 10 years ago

"The only thing that might have improved the movie for me would have been the casting of someone more appealing than Jude Law as Dickie. I thought Law was terrific as a mechanical man in A.I. and as the rat-faced assassin in Road to Perdition, but I couldn't see him as the guy whose attention everybody wants. I just had to suspend my disbelief for that."

Wow, I think you're alone in this opinion, my friend. Jude was perfect for the role and the Oscar nomination he received confirms that.

[–] DryToast 10 years ago

I know for sure that I am not alone in that opinion, as I have heard others express it, but I may indeed be in the minority, which is fine. Law appeals to many people, and thus was perfectly reasonable casting. I am saying what would have improved the movie for me, and no one can disagree with me there. And unless you have never disagreed with any nomination in the 80-plus years of Oscar history, or are willing to substitute their opinion for your own, I don't see how their voters' opinions confirm anything.

"You must sing him your prettiest songs, then perhaps he will want to marry you."

[–] BoSoxRule 10 years ago

OK, so was your issue that Law wasn't good-looking enough for the role?

[–] DryToast 10 years ago

"Good-looking" isn't the main issue. As I said, when the film was made, Jude Law was certainly thought of by audiences as attractive and interesting, and he was a suitable choice.

But for me, I would have liked to have seen an actor as Dickie who had sufficient charm, likability and charisma to outdistance the bad-tempered narcissist aspect of the character. I would like to have been taken by Dickie in the way Tom was, at least part of the time, but I never was. I always found Law's Dickie distasteful and wouldn't have sought out his company. (There's probably no one actor who would have provided that experience to everyone.)

"You must sing him your prettiest songs, then perhaps he will want to marry you."

[–] BoSoxRule 10 years ago

Well, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

[–] intermissiontime 11 years ago

I can see why some people think the movie wilters the second half after Dickie dies but I'm not one of them. Imo, the movie gathers steam as Tom immerses himself more and more into Dickies identity. You keep asking yourself "how the hell is he going to get himself out of this" several times the second half of the film. Just a fabulous movie all the way around and while it definitely changes gears after the fight on the boat, it doesn`t lose any of its appeal for me.

[–] BrunoAntony 11 years ago

I loved this movie but I agree that it makes Tom appear almost supernaturally lucky. The novel portrays him as a lot more calculating and crafty.

[–] SamoanJoes 11 years ago

I had a problem with the second half as a lot of people have. I am completely okay with Dickie dying, but the plot seemed to be a victim of itself. I don't find Mr. Ripley all that talented to the extent where he could fool people into thinking he was someone else. How could someone be fooled by this? Anyone would know almost immediately that something is off.

[–] invisiblehen 11 years ago

He doesn't actually fool money people though. Actually, it's only Meredith and a few police officers - and none of them know what the real Dickie looks like. His behaviour as Dickie is also completely in line with how Dickie actually behaved, something Marge had discussed with Tom. So when he goes from proposing to Marge, then starting an affair with Meredith, it makes sense to her.

Also, he doesn't do such a great job of it. Marge and Freddie both figure him out.

[–] moviefool09 10 years ago

The movie is definitely split into two parts: the first is sunny, romantic and light. The second is dark, murderous and tragic.

I found each to be equally enjoyable and fascinating. The airy first half really sets up the second, in my opinion....because you wonder how Ripley will manage to keep up this facade and protect his newly privileged lifestyle.

One of my all-time favorite films.

"The future is tape, videotape, and NOT film?"

[–] Quicksilver1900 10 years ago

Yes, Herbert Greenleaf giving Tom Dickie's trust fund really stretched credibility. I am quite certain that does not occur in real life.

[–] PrivateBozz 10 years ago

I saw this way back when the theater and loved the first half. Or maybe the first quarter. More specifically up until Dicky was killed. He imho was the best part of the movie.

Lol, that's exactly how I felt. It's like Marge said, Dickie is like the sun - when he's in a scene the movie becomes much brighter, he blends out the figures around him.

I don't agree with those who see only a rich arrogant dick in him, of course there are some serious flaws to his character, but he's also a good guy in a way. He's honestly devastated over Silvana's death and acknowledges his responsibility for example, and he really loves Marge. He's just a passionate person who lives in the moment and gives his all to the things that interest him. Other people feel drawn to him not for his money or status but for his nature, his character, which isn't even charming but rather direct. His looks are very charming, though.. :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If I upset you, don't stress
Never forget, that God isn't finished with me yet

[–] sage2112 9 years ago

I really agree with this post. The wheels just kinda fell off around the 2nd half.

[–] maryj482 9 years ago

I agree with you to a point. Jude Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman both were such embodiments of their roles that the movie sort of died for me when they were gone as well. Jude Law was the movie's charm, and PSH could be called its brain? Matt Damon was a great foil for them, and they acted off of him superbly. Overall Damon really did a great job, but he did not have the same pull for me and the latter half of the movie was not as interesting without dickie, and to some extent, Freddie being in the movie.

I just rewatched this after several years (since it is on HBO at the moment I am writing this) and was surprised at how well it held up. Though well made, well acted, and interesting overall - the end of the movie sort of leaves you with the feeling of "so what? Tom is a manipulative, sociopath but why should we care after all?"

I do think it is heartbreaking that no one would listen to Marge, mostly because she is female and deemed to be hysterical.

Really a good movie, but missing just a little bit of something to make it truly great.

[–] TaraCutrone (9) 3 years ago

Looking back on the film though today’s eyes, the treatment of Marge throughout is one of the most interesting aspects of it. She is constantly disregarded in the film, from Tom’s “The Marge problem” dismissiveness to Dickie’s father not taking her suspicions seriously.

[–] SausagePourVous 9 years ago

Actually,Dickie just responded to Toms insane comment-You love me,you´re not marrying me." which would make any skin crawl....he calls him boring,Tom gets hurt and verbally abuse Dickie,saying he´s been honest about his feelings(which he hadn´t),calling Dickie gay,saying he ruin everybody,he banged Marge,knocked up Silvana,he´s so obsessed with Dickie,he even give him crap for wanting to switch from sax to drums. Dickie lashing out and bitchslapping him was 106% justified. Where did the psycho queer get the nerve to critisize him when he is a big mooch and even more sinister and manipulative?

Watch Laws acting on the boat,no doubt what sealed his Oscarnomination. When Tom starts bitching,he just laughs,then he is seemingly annoyed,like is this guy for real,then he just turns and stares at him,pissed off look,whole moment without dialog,he let those who like to talk talk before getting up and showing whos boss. So intense duel and a superb scene,one of my favs...til"the accidental murder" happens which ruins very much and isn´t realistic in any way.

Compared to the book and over-rated Purple noon,Dickie was just a lamb to the slaughter,murder easily with intent on the boat,not smart,not like Laws Dickie who knew Tom lied about alot to get close but who was too narcississtic and self-involved to see the real danger, Book-Dickie had no personality,bland...Laws Dickie is fascinating,has layers and is a perfect foil or antagonist...and yes,the film sort of dies with Dickie. You don´t kill your Jude Law 47% into a film if you don´t have good enough material or a superb replacement. Freddies scene with Tom was brilliant,the cop investigating was awesome but like always with Minghella,he couldn´t wrap it up and the film is 25 minutes too long.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

Wow, these IMDB commenters and their blinders!