What do you do when you love something so much you have to have it? When you envy someone so much you want to become it? These are the circumstances faced by Tom Ripley in writer-director Anthony Minghella's efficacious adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith’s thriller ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’, writes Freddy Wilkinson
Tom Ripley’s character is masterfully created. I would even go as far to say that it is not possible not to root for him in some sense. Not to like him at least not, on some level, want him to succeed. Highsmith does well ensuring that he weasels his way into our sympathies. It is a classic story of someone who starts off small and ignored, but who, through force of sheer determination and personality is able to overcome his circumstances …show more content…
This particular piece of editing give the impression to portray a soul: fractured and broken.
Mingella’s lighting, specifically on the last verse of the song, is used through displaying only one side Ripley’s face, conveying his emotions not as happy or sad but rather as shadowed and eerie, cloaked with mystery. When we look back on this film and consider this moment, this scene truly forces the audience to contemplate his personality and this moment presents us with his brighter side as well as its darkness, which is hidden by thick shadows and what this hints for future events.
A latter element gives the film a sense of radiance and warmth which is in complete contrast to the first scenes. We can see this particularly around the beaches of Anthony’s fantasised town of Mongibellow. Tom is observed scheming and hiding in the shadows whilst watching Dicky and Marge sail and swim in the lagoon below. A peculiar statement follows this however, hinting at Mingella’s attempt on displaying Tom’s infatuation with Dicky’s
Tom Ripley’s character is masterfully created. I would even go as far to say that it is not possible not to root for him in some sense. Not to like him at least not, on some level, want him to succeed. Highsmith does well ensuring that he weasels his way into our sympathies. It is a classic story of someone who starts off small and ignored, but who, through force of sheer determination and personality is able to overcome his circumstances …show more content…
This particular piece of editing give the impression to portray a soul: fractured and broken.
Mingella’s lighting, specifically on the last verse of the song, is used through displaying only one side Ripley’s face, conveying his emotions not as happy or sad but rather as shadowed and eerie, cloaked with mystery. When we look back on this film and consider this moment, this scene truly forces the audience to contemplate his personality and this moment presents us with his brighter side as well as its darkness, which is hidden by thick shadows and what this hints for future events.
A latter element gives the film a sense of radiance and warmth which is in complete contrast to the first scenes. We can see this particularly around the beaches of Anthony’s fantasised town of Mongibellow. Tom is observed scheming and hiding in the shadows whilst watching Dicky and Marge sail and swim in the lagoon below. A peculiar statement follows this however, hinting at Mingella’s attempt on displaying Tom’s infatuation with Dicky’s