That quote is the tagline from The Talented Mr. Ripley, as found on IMDB.com. Mr. Ripley - believe it or not - was sent to bring home the prodigal son of a very wealthy business man. Mr. Ripley was a recluse weirdo, who lusted after the prodigal, Dickie Greenleaf, so sensually portrayed by Jude Law. Mr. Ripley's lust was not only physical but emotional as he desired the world the prodigal had made for himself in the beauty of Italy. Mr. Ripley's lust was full of obsession that led to dreadful things - but in the end he got away with them all and came out on top. A lesson that you want to teach in movie-making? Thinking NO. A good movie? Yeah.
I had not seen this film, when it was released, now almost 10 years ago, but knew the basic premise just from brief scenes and maybe even my peers from writing class who spoke of it. The cast was ten years younger and wonderfully cast - Matt Damon as Tom Ripley (very convincing), especially when he delivered the line "I always thought it was better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody". Anthony Minghella adapted this screenplay from the novel by Patricia Highsmith. Good stuff.
Rent it, buy it for $5 or dust off the copy you have around the house.
Ciao Y'all
Movie poster courtesy of Paramount Pictures found on IMDB.com
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