THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY

Jesus, that was a long movie.

THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY: Four out of five stars.

There are two big problems with this film - both are writing issues.  The first is the refusal of the Italian police to make use of fingerprinting.  I don't know if that isn't something that is done in Italy but it would certainly solve the identity issue that lies at the heart of the film.  The second problem is the length - the film is overblown at times and some scenes do drag.

Overall though the film succeeds on the backs of its stars - Damon stars as the titular character and makes us sympathize with the young Tom who doesn't kill out of deviation but out of deprivation.  Its an interesting motivation for murder and not something I had seen done before.  Cate Blanchett, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow are all equally well cast though Phillip Seymour Hoffman seems to be channeling his usual dickery of a persona.

Troubling is how easily audiences find themselves sympathizing with Tom and hoping he gets away with his crimes - we can easily imagine ourselves having suddenly come into a dream life and how we would do anything to keep hold of it.

If the film was tighter in its pacing and maybe a half hour shorter and didn't have plot holes you could steer a boat through, this would be a near-perfect film.

Film List:
January 1: THERE WILL BE BLOOD (5/5)
January 2: BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (3.5/5)
January 3: THE ARTIST (5/5)
January 4: THE KING'S SPEECH (2.5/5)
January 5: UPSTREAM COLOR (5/5)
January 7: THE PIANIST (4.5/5)
January 8: DRINKING BUDDIES: (4/5)

January 9: THE LONE RANGER: (1/5)

                 FAST & FURIOUS 6: (3/5/5)
January 10: THE IRON LADY (1.5/5)
January 11: THE FIRST GRADER (3/5)
January 12: THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (4/5)