The Talented Mr. Ripley
User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 8 out of 61

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  1. JosieP.
    Apr 3, 2001
    3
    The thought this movie and its actors were considered for Oscar nominations is maddening. Second rate at best.
  2. SebH
    Oct 4, 2009
    4
    Anyone who says this captures the essence of the novel is seriously wrong. Not only is Damon's Ripley everything that Highsmith said very explicitly that he wasn't (blatantly homosexual, obsessed with Dickie and his lifestyle, showing precious little premeditation to his plans and even showing remorse). Highsmith's Ripley was one of the best literary characters ever created, as insecure as he is confident and cool, but the bumbling, grinning dork up on the screen didn't remind me of him at all. Minghella made the very bold move of taking this film in different directions to the book, but it suffers as a result, particularly with the introduction of two new vapid, unconvincing characters (Peter Smith Kingsley and Meredith Logue). They fail very badly, as do all the other Hollywood-ised bastardisations of the original characters. Ripley was such a great potential film, and, though this is not without its merits, it ultimately fails to capture the spirit Highsmith wrote it in. I'm all for some degree of originality in an adaptation, but this practically spits in Highsmith's face, all in all designed to be a cold-hearted star vehicle.… Expand
  3. NickiG.
    Jun 30, 2002
    2
    One of those truly slimy movies... Not only was the plot grotesque and the characters unlikeable and unbelievable, but it was also boring. I suppose I can't give it a zero though because I actually did sit through the whole thing.
  4. pabloe.
    Oct 23, 2007
    3
    So much talent wasted!!! The movie just does not work, the characters are hollow, the dynamic of the plot fragmented.
  5. MikeL.
    Jul 18, 2009
    0
    This is the all-time worst movie I've ever seen (all the way through). Too long, too boring, too uninteresting. Great cast, great premise (Joe Schmoe hustles his way into hobknobbing around Europe with young, rich elite). Unfortunately it couldn't overcome a terrible story (NOTE - being gay is not a plot twist). What was the movie trying to convey? It appears from the critics they can't decide either (crime drama, psychological thriller, take on class and gender). I couldn't wait for it to end. Group of friends who saw it at the cinema said the film broke near the end and many clapped that it was over.… Expand
  6. BillM.
    Mar 31, 2001
    3
    The only talent Mr. Ripley has is murdering people.
  7. EricC.
    Apr 22, 2003
    4
    This movie reminded me of what some describe baseball as: 3 minutes of action in 3 hours. Even though the movie wasn't three hours, it sure felt like it. The plot was near impossible for me to figure out; apparently, Ripley tries to be someone else, but then he changes his mind or something. But I kept waiting for ANYTHING to happen, and when it did, it was over immediately. It was the first film I described, "It's about as fun as watching wood float." I gave it four because I feel that there are probably some people who could like this kind of story. It wasn't horrible, but it didn't work for me.… Collapse

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 2 out of 35
  1. Mr. Showbiz
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    74
    A near-perfect confection, a beautifully executed Hollywood all-you-can-eat salad bar of glamour, plot twists, breathtaking Mediterranean vistas, and jazz.
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  2. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    75
    Minghella's psychological redraft muffles the menace, squanders the tension, throws away the main character and plot engine and turns Ripley into something he never was or should be.
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  3. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Stephen Hunter
    70
    Enter the world of the sociopathic killer and enjoy.
    Read full review
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