Word: tomming
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...movie The Talented Mr. Ripley. Even though I still haven't decided how I feel about the embellishments concocted by writer-director Anthony Minghella to update this compelling tale of 1950's class envy and blossoming psychosis. The outlines of the story are the same in both versions: Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a poor, smart chameleon, comes to Italy under false pretenses and insinuates himself into the wealthy life of prodigal Dickie "Ouch!" Greenleaf (Jude Law). Dickie's not always as naughty as the name suggests, but sometimes he's far worse. Jude Law is the consummate self-involved prick...
...cruel: he wears the part like a fine, sleek suit, just crumpled enough to seem lived-in. Even in one of those absurd '50s hats that wanna-beatniks had to sport, Law comes across as a little bit perfect, and a little bit vile. You can see why Tom gets all hot around the collar for Dickie's lifestyle, even if it comes with Gwyneth Paltrow as an accessory too sweetie-pie elegant for its own good. Of course, Mr. Ripley doesn't last too long as Dickie's new toy. Tensions arise from all sides. Tom lacks that preppie...
...Ripley is more stubborn than he seems, especially when he realizes that he's suddenly living the life he always wanted. Highsmith's book keeps the audience engaged just by introducing clearheaded, elegant Tom Ripley. He's fascinating because we know what he's capable of, which is just about anything. He's like Hannibal Lecter minus all that nonsense about fava beans and a nice chianti. But the movie takes the story in an entirely different direction simply by a shift of emphasis. Where Highsmith's 1950's novel barely dares to hint at any latent homoeroticism, the movie...
...choice to portray Tom Ripley as a gay man is risky, and not only for Matt Damon's career. As a man capable of murder on a bad day (don't worry, I'm not really giving anything away), a gay Thomas Ripley might become some terrible variation on the mythic self-hating homosexual serial killed--a queasy Andrew Cunanan done up in old-fashioned clothes. But the change actually produces all kinds of new tensions that deepen the emotional weight of the story. Tom's confused sexuality is just another expression of his place outside the privileged world...
...newly expanded role of Peter Smith-Kingsley, a British playmate for Tom who enters in the late stages of the film, puts a whole new spin on Tom's movement into his new world. While the acting is uniformly fine, the prize of the hour goes to newcomer Jack Davenport, who brings this character to life with such exquisite sensitivity that he more than justifies the touchy business of Tom's gayness. I wouldn't be surprised if you hear the name Davenport again sometime soon. If Anthony Minghella weren't such a smart writer and director, the changed emphasis...