This film is actually very boring once you realise it. The pacing is just very uneven and there are multiple moments that don't even make that much sense and you wonder why they're there. Instead of Law's character being portrayed as annoying and stuck-up, nothing is there to illustrate his behaviour as annoying and stuck-up, so he just ends up looking like a spoilt brat with no proper explanation. Once he's gone, the thing just falls apart because Damon has nothing to go on and tries to look like a psychopath for the sake of it. Some scenes don't even fit together properly. That said, the scenery was very beautiful, so we got a nice backdrop that contrasted with the conflict that was going on between the characters. Plus, I found one scene particularly thrilling and heart-pounding, and to be honest, quite horrific actually.… Expand

First off, I would give it a 9.25 out of 10. Acting is pretty good. Story is great. Some fighting scenes can be pretty brutal. Also, the environments are pretty great looking. Score is good. Overall, it's a good, interesting movie that you should watch.

Anthony Minghella sure knew how to make a beautiful film. This film deserves to be classic. Damon, Law, Paltrow, Blanchett and Hoffman are terrific here.

A delight for eyes, ears and mind - It's late in the 1950s. Jazz is popular and Tom Ripley travels to Italia for the first time to discover the world.

Loner Tom Ripley joyfully accepts a generous offer from shipping pioneer Herbert Greenleaf. All he has to do is travel to Mongibello, south of Naples and convince his son Dickie to return home to New York. When Ripley meets Dickie and his girlfriend, he is attracted by the vital womanizer and the carefree life he lives. All goes well until Ripley's attraction towards Dickie turns to jealousy and he realizes that he is not willing to give up his new world.

Minghella's story invites us into the inner and emotional life of protagonist Tom Ripley who on the outside appears as a humble, intelligent, socially well-adjusted and credible person. His inner fragility reveals it self in his interaction with the rich man's son Dickie, whose personality contrasts Ripley as warmth contrasts cold. Ripley's esteem blossoms in Dickie's company, but dazzled with Dickie's dazzling being he is misled to believe that Dickie's friendship is sincere and unfortunately it takes him to long to realize that his new friend considers him pastime. After the movies point-of-no-return Ripley's darker sides rises to the surface. The overeducated working class boy turns into a man of the world and at this point the character development takes a shocking turn and Minghella draws us further and further into Ripley's psyche.

Minghella's knife sharp and plot rich screenplay, based on Patricia Highsmith's novel from 1955, is told with chronological narrative, voice-over and flashback scenes. Topics such as solitude, alienation, upper class life, envy, infatuation, homosexuality, identity and class distinction are explored in this flawlessly photographed in-depth character study which contains brilliant editing that alternates between long and short takes.

The films nerve rests on Ripley's character, who has to overcome obstacle by obstacle to maintain his newly acquired status. This is effectuated by the strong progress Minghella creates through a story that never seizes to amaze. John Seal's earlier mentioned photography makes Italia look like a mystic adventure-land and enhances the films considerate mood. The stylized and realistic milieu depictions prompts the feeling of the zeitgeist, white the cinematography and music strengthens the romantic and ominous moods.

When it comes to the acting, the whole crew is magnificent. Matt Damon's transformation to the nerdy and unpredictable main-character is impressive and his interpretation of this complex character is undoubtedly one of his finest. Jude Law should also be mentioned for the breakthrough role that made him one of the worlds largest movie-stars. With charismatic charm, arrogant attitude and an inspiring hunger for life, he perfectly embodies the character Dickie Greenleaf. Cate Blanchett, Gwyneth Paltrow and Philip Seymour Hoffman delivers substantial supporting performances and as Jude Law, they became huge movie-stars few years later.… Expand

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

Truly remarkable. Damon really steps into the limelight after this stellar performance and Law also did one hell of a job.The emotional impact wasn't extreme but nonetheless you felt it. With it's unpredictable, yet thrilling plot and outstanding performances this is easily one of the best films of the 1990's.

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

So much talent wasted!!! The movie just does not work, the characters are hollow, the dynamic of the plot fragmented.

The film captures the essence of the novel in a way many movies fail. It was brilliantly cast and shot, overall this movie is a gem.

This film is my all time favourite film. The scenery is beautiful, the acting is great and the film is extremely well written.

To those who cast doubt on Jude Law's acting chops, this film should shut you up fast.

I've always been a bit confused by the lack of interest in this film... I think it is great.

Everything moves along quite well until Jude Law is gone and Matt Damon has to carry the ball. He is just not up to the task.

I have been fascinated by this truly talented movie since I first saw it some years ago. This is the only film which I saw at least 20 times. Every time I watch it I feel as if I were an invisible film participant who constantly accompanies the characters. Tom Ripley, the main character of the movie, is an unwanted, poor lad who early understood that it was actually impossible to succeed in life without protection and support. I could sympathize with him. When Tom gets an opportunity to change his life and happens to know the happiness of that glorious world his bad instincts fail him. I don't identify myself with Tom. I could be Peter though. I think Jack Davenport played one of his best roles. The homosexual tendencies of the characters don't scare me and I don't focus on them. The characters of the movie are making their way in the world - that's what we all do - and how they do it attracts our attention. The cast is splendid. It's like a precious brooch - twinkling, scattered diamonds and emeralds - every stone in itself is of some importance and is strongly attracted by others. It's a beautiful film. Elegant, dramatic, fascinating, mysterious, exiting...... I really enjoyed every scene. I also liked the fine music so tastefully arranged by the authors of the movie - it fascinated me from the very beginning. In my eyes the film is perfect.… Expand

This movie is much better than the book, which is painful to read. To develop that screenplay from that novel is truly amazing. This is an intelligent movie, with good dialogue and good performances from the actors. My personal favourite is Philip Seymour Hoffman as Freddie Miles. The characters are subtly drawn and deep reflection after having seen the movie yields its own rewards. Beautiful locations and scenery. Well shot. I've watched this movie at least 6 times. I'm giving it 10/10 even if I dislike the ending (but since there's no such thing as a perfect movie, I won't deduct from the score). Since the Ripley books form a series, this movie doesn't end as it should. Despite his talent (for deceit and self-preservation), Ripley is lucky more than anything else. When his world begins to collapse it should do so like a house of cards, with Ripley having to confront that 'darkened room' where he hides his secrets, or with Ripley dying while trying to avoid confronting it. Because he was always going to live and be a character in the next movie, at the end you get the sense that he has survived a nuclear blast or crawled from the rubble of an earthquake when everyone had their eyes shut and their hands over their ears. For my money, though, the plot is almost incidental. The richness of the characters, the scenery and the dialogue, and the performances of all the actors were and still are enough to make me want to watch again. The jazz soundtrack just makes it that much sweeter, since I love jazz. In my opinion, a very, very good movie (and I don't use my verys lightly).… Expand

Bad Will Hunting. An uplifting affirmation of all that is lowdown and negative. An ugly little tale well told.

Better than the original film "Plein Soleil" (Purple Noon).

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.… Expand

Personally, the book is better, but i can understand why the movie is like it is. To attract attention to the public. I mean, the situation is good in a book, a nearly crazy man in his mid twenties running away from the Italian cops in Europe, a bored American in Mongibello with no martial interest. But it'd be boring in the movies, i would think so. The movie adds too much--in the book, there is no Meredith, and Dickie has no interest in Marge. But have to agree- this movie was good compared to others i've seen. I also have to agree with Bill M.- the only talent Mr. Ripley has is murdering people. One last thing- Matt Damon CANNOT play a murderer he's not scary enough! I mean, they should have switched the parts, Jude Law- Ripley, Matt Damon- Dickie, because I was not frightened at all... Not realistic all- People work on the casting.… Expand

This movie has been a favorite of mine for quite some time due to it's artistically exaggerated view of people that actually exist. How many Dickie Greenleaf's do you know? His persona is like so many people in this world, and Tom is identified with us not as a monster who kills people, but as a frantic, confused, amazingly longing person. Jude Law is one of my favorite actors and he puts on the playboy persona like no other actor I've seen. For anyone (and this is everyone) who has ever felt insecure.… Expand

Definitely a masterpiece, Minghella has managed to get the best out of Highsmith's novel and combined it with his own ideas. The result is two hours and thirty minutes of true enjoyment. Law's performance is superb. A must.

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.

The summary does not do it justice. Mr. Ripley sure is talented and one must be to orchestrate what he did. The details were subtle enough to let you know what's going on without making it stupidly obvious, ruining its beauty. Such a mood can rarely be found elsewhere.

Only minor glitches keep this movie short of a masterpiece. It may be not for everyone, certainly - it may be too subtle and it hides a great deal of angst, deception and sorrow below its pleasant surface. In my opinion that makes it only better. Definitely recommended.

The thought this movie and its actors were considered for Oscar nominations is maddening. Second rate at best.