This movie was touted by some respected reviewers as one of the top movies of 2000. This is a mystery to me. I found this movie to be fairly absorbing for the first hour or so, until the first murder occurred. From that point on, the story line deteriorated.
The plot opens with Tom Ripley, a amateur pianist, being offered $1,000.00 by a shipping tycoon to travel to Naples, Italy to bring back his wayward son, Dickie Greenleaf. Tom is a meek, mild mannered person with a dull personality. He is somewhat hesitant at first to leave his sheltered routine, but accepts the offer. Once he arrives, he enters the world of Dickie and his girlfriend Marge, by lying that he was a Princeton classmate. Dickie is leading a very privileged life, spending his days soaking up sun rays and sailing his boat, squandering his father's fortune. Tom, easily falls into this extravagant lifestyle and is captivated by Dickie's vibrant personality. In fact, Tom becomes so obsessed with Dickie, that he starts to study his mannerisms and even wears his clothes when he is out of town.
Dickie is an engrossing character, but has few redeeming qualities. He is carrying on an affair with a local produce seller in one of the markets,while pledging his love to Marge. His disregard for his father's concerns about his welfare are also troubling. Marge, in her own way, is obsessed with Dickie as well, and a strange love triangle develops.Tom is a sinister character with homosexual leanings that lie just below the surface. When Dickie begins to sense that Tom is becoming too attached to him and is aware of his obsessive interest, he confronts Tom as they are out to sea on a small boat. Tom is devastated by Dickie's threats to abandon the "friendship." A fight ensues and Tom kills Dickie.
After the death scene, the movie plot falls apart. Tom is revealed as a true sociopath as he shows no remorse for his actions and changes his appearance so that he can pass himself off as Dickie Greenleaf and gain access to his wealthy lifestyle. Through a series of scenes, Tom is switching back and forth between playing himself and Dickie to cover up his crime. He is able to keep Marge guessing about Dickie's whereabouts, but is finally confronted by one of Dickie's jet set friends from Rome. This leads to the second murder.
After several sessions of questioning by the police, Tom is successful in developing a suicide letter and forges Dickie's signature. Through an incredible streak of luck, Tom is never caught in his duplicity. Amazingly, when Dickie's father comes over from America to investigate his disappearance, Tom winds up becoming heir to Dickie's fortune after it is concluded that he committed suicide. Marge, having found Dickie's rings in Tom's apartment, is the only one who is convinced that Tom murdered Dickie.
The basic story line is fascinating and this could have been a first rate thriller, had the writer developed a more believable plot from the point of the murder on. The last hour and a quarter however, rely too much on coincidence and sheer luck to be plausible Another flaw is that is impossible to develop any empathy or strong attachment to any of the characters in the movie since they have no endearing qualities.
Despite a great cast and fine performances, the actors are unable to overcome a poor script and the movie comes off as an unsatisfying experience.
Recommended:
No
Viewing Format: VHS Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age
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