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*** of ****
Length: 140 minutes
Credits:
Writers: Patricia Highsmith (novel)
Anthony Minghella
Director: Anthony Minghella
Cast:
Matt Damon: Tom Ripley
Gwyneth Paltrow: Marge Sherwood
Jude Law: Dickie Greenleaf
Cate Blanchett: Meredith Logue
Philip Seymour Hoffman: Freddie Miles
Not only a brilliant piece of writing but a powerful piece of film making, a true "thinking person's" thriller. It only really seemed to drag at the end when the too many forced coincidences started a phrase echoing in my head. "Ripley's believe it or not." Although I can see why the ending was made that way, I would have liked it more if it would have ended with the opening shot of him on the ferry to Athens just cruising off into the sunrise. The boat was going east.
The boat oar scene didn't phase me because it was needed to get the movie into the next chapter, and the whole idea of a kharmic circle. Perhaps a better sound effect in the theater would have prompted more of a response from the audience. The cause of his anger was certainly understandable. Hurt is hurt even if the person causing those feelings is to shallow and self-absorbed to really have a valid opinion. The desciption of the sociopath's motivations and feelings is probably about as good as has ever been done in a movie. No real surprises in the movie, but I would not have minded if a certain someone would have become a statistic.
I did like the score, and I was wondering during the movie, because I had plenty of time... if they put out a CD of songs featured in the film even though none of it would be considered '00s music. Miramax huh! I have to be in the right mood to really listen to Jazz, or it just won't work well for me, and I'll have to grab an oar and...
Soundtrack:
Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano - RENTO CAROSONE
My Funny Valentine - RICHARD RODGERS (1902-1980)
Italia - GABRIEL YARED
Lullaby for Cain - GABRIEL YARED
Crazy Tom - GABRIEL YARED
Ko-Ko - CHARLIE PARKER (1920-1955)
Nature Boy - EDEN AHBEZ
Mischief - GABRIEL YARED
Ripley - GABRIEL YARED
Pent-Up House - SONNY ROLLINS
Guaglione - NISA
Moanin' - BOBBY TIMMONS
Proust - GABRIEL YARED
Four - MILES DAVIS (1926-1991)
Promise - GABRIEL YARED
The Champ - DIZZY GILLESPIE (1917-1993)
Syncopes - GABRIEL YARED
Stabat Mater (excerpt) - ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)
You Don't Know What Love Is- GENE DE PAUL