Acting Analysis | Matt Damon in The Talented Mr. Ripley

#mattdamon #filmanalysis #thetalentedmrripley
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Manuela Lazić breaks down what makes Matt Damon's performance in Anthony Minghella's THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY one of the best of his career.
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[@YouGottaAct]

What do you think is Matt Damon's best performance?

[@ricktaylor3748]

Excellent !! Jude Law's acting skills are unbelievable. Was sorry he left the movie.

[@bev9708]

I totally agree that this is Damon's best performance, and was irritated at the time (and since) with the many criticisms this performance received... you really nailed it here as to just why it's so very good, since he is playing it on many levels, something which obviously many critics did not pick up on.

[@alicenestpasmonprenom5784]

By far!

[@lepetitchat123]

Everyone is so well cast in this film. Not just Damon

[@HavanaSyndrome69]

Mana! Manu! Or whatever nickname you prefer Manuela! The videos you make that focus on the analysis of the acting in a particular film, like you did with Matteo Damon here, Phantom Thread, and the other one are my favorite format of video you make. Sadly there's only three, but even with just those three they're by far the most successful movies you've made on KZbin! So, if you can very much please come back please, you could start by psting videos that work well for your sub count and viewership. Thank you times a brazilian!

[@nomiddlenamenmn427]

I love Matt’s performance. He may be a sociopathic serial killer and quite possibly the most humble, seemingly kind character in the film. When he walks around by himself in the lime green swim trunks, I can’t help but feel for him, a perennial outsider and lonely loner, even knowing his dark motives. Unlike Dickie and Freddy, Tom doesn’t brag too much. Great video. Thank you.

[@mattwright8932]

Damon was brilliant here. So underrated in comparison to some of his peers. I'd like to see analysis on one of Christian Bale's performances

[@damianstarks3338]

You said it here bro.

[@mariothemet]

Incredibly under appreciated movie. An all time favorite, and your analysis couldn’t be more eloquently accurate. Awesome.

[@johnjim6793]

I agree. I think it is a career-best not only for Matt Damon, but also for Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jude Law and certainly for Gwynneth Paltrow. Cate Blanchett and Jack Davenport have great supporting performances. A music score for the ages, a cinematography that will make you want to book a trip to Italy, and a screenplay that adds a fantastic psychological subtext to Patricia Highsmith's source material.

[@pdruiz2005]

Just re-watched this movie about three weeks ago with a friend who didn't know what it was about. I haven't seen it in years. We're both gay men. It reminded me that this film is one of the best LGBTQ+ movies I've ever seen, but rarely acknowledged as such, and that Matt Damon is an incredible actor. Ripley's disarming, child-like attitude is not an act--that's his true self. But Ripley also has a far more sinister side that comes out when he's humiliated, abandoned or threatened. As for his amoral, manipulative and forceful social climbing, that's Ripley's third side--his sociopathy and narcissism, where he will stop at nothing to be recognized as one of the rich and pampered. Combine these three with a fourth--his homosexuality, highly taboo in the 1950s--and you get a very lethal combination. Truly a captivating tale of one of the most complex antihero protagonists in the history of cinema.

[@johnjim6793]

One could also consider the conversation between Freddy Miles (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Tom up in "Dickie's appartment" in Rome. It is an incredibly powerful scene including two absolute acting titans, resulting in almost unbearable tension. From the first moment that Freddy appears, he has been Tom's walking torture. The way he snatches Dickie from him during their trip to Rome, the fact that Tom joins late to breakfast only to discover that Freddy has been mocking him in front of the others for wearing a cord jacket in Italy, all this reaches his climax when Freddy finds Tom in a Roman appartment where he expected to find Dickie. Freddy can sniff that something is foul here although he doesn't have the full picture yet. All this creates a great subtext to this duel between two guys that obviously can not stand each other.

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

This film was like what Hitchcock would have done if he was from modern times!!

[@TheWriterWalker]

So satisfying to see Damon and Ripley in your list of the greats.

[@nora-wshirai8941]

Fascinating analysis! I just finished this film and your analysis is really helpful. Thanks!

[@DelGuy03]

Thank you! I am so happy to find an appreciation of this performance, which I think is still Damon's best, and one of the best acting performances in the last couple of decades of film. It completely changed my opinion of him; previously he seemed like another studio-made "star" who had the advantage of being young and personable, but with The Talented Mr. Ripley I saw that he was a real actor, someone who could convey layers and nuances in a way that one seldom sees. The movie itself made a huge impression on me, as a perfect depiction (quite different from the book) of a longing to "belong," the joy of briefly being accepted, and then the pain and anger at being cast out, and after that the fear that a loveless solitary life is all that his future holds. His speech about the "key" to a person's innermost identity is a classic.

[@dfa3366]

Matt Damon in the 90's is his best work. From School Ties to Good Will Hunting and the underrated John Gresham's The Rainmaker and of course this movie. The ending of this movie is so different than the book. In fact Meredith is not even a character in the book. She was written in for the movie.

[@peterwhyte-venables7463]

Brilliant . Thank you - you have an instant follower..

[@dibujared7061]

Great analysis! I hope you continue to make more like this

[@YouGottaAct]

Thanks! Yep, definitely more coming soon!

[@ChattinBoxingWYB]

Matt Damon's portrayal of the very ambiguous, cunning and somewhat sympathetic villain Mr Tom Ripley. Was one of the first times where I actually wanted the villain to get away with his crimes. I think it's because the way that Matt portrays the character, he's actually the most likeable character in the entire movie. As he's surrounded by snobs and ungrateful privileged douchebags. Also 💯 Damon should have got the Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor!!

[@bev9708]

Totally agree!!!

[@markhoffman505]

Matt Damon's performance and character in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is what inspired Tommy Wiseau to write and direct his infamous 2003 stinker "The Room". Motivated by the film but utterly clueless, Tommy kept referring to Matt as Mark, therefore his classic line became "Oh, Hi Mark" instead of "Oh, Hi Matt". Read about it in "The Disaster Artist", one of the best behind-the-scenes movie memoirs ever written. :-)

[@laurie8857]

Oooo thanks for this! I didn't get why he killed Peter and not Meredith. I am glad that even though Peter was killed, at least Tom did love him (as much as his character could love someone)

[@ivankamarelj3542]

I think he found a way to get rid of Meredith too once they were in Greece. She and her family are the only who know him as Dickie and not Tom so they will always be a danger to him.

[@bev9708]

@@ivankamarelj3542 YES, I always got that feeling also... my first thought at the end of the movie is uh ohhh Meredith is doomed!

[@pdruiz2005]

Meredith would've been harder to kill since she was with her parents on a ship. Her parents would immediately report to the captain that their sweet daughter went missing, which would make all passengers suspects. That's not something that Ripley wanted. So it was easier to kill Peter because people wouldn't notice for days that he went missing, giving Ripley plenty of time to throw the body overboard, get rid of evidence and run off into the mainland upon landing.

[@aisle_of_view]

Whenever I'm waiting for my morning espresso drink, I'll look over at another customer and say "Dickie Greenleaf? It's Tom!!!"

[@isaacrosen6446]

Great breakdown of some great acting in a GREAT film. Recently found you through an old Blank Check episode and already follow you on letterboxd, Instagram, here, etc etc. Hoping for more video essays like this!

[@isaacrosen6446]

Also, I’m always thinking about the extent to which performance quality can affect the quality of a film - does a great film need to have great performances? Can a film be great with bad performances or is it only possible for bad films to have great performances? To what extent do we make exceptions in our critical assessment of a film based on the performances? Would love to hear your take on it.

[@YouGottaAct]

@@isaacrosen6446 thanks! There will be more video essays like this coming out soon... and yes, that’s an interesting question! I think it’s hard for an actor to give a great performance in a bad film, because if the film is bad, chances are the script is too - but of course it can happen! Actors still can bring a lot to a part even if it’s underwritten, it all depends.

[@isaacrosen6446]

@@YouGottaAct interesting way to think of it - I guess a script / dialogue in specific is typically the factor of filmmaking that is most consistently and most directly related to an actors task...but then again, like you said, it depends. There’s exceptions to every rule, especially in art. I’ll carry your response with me and observe how the performances and writing sync up with particular care for the next few films I see!

[@bev9708]

@@YouGottaAct I think we've seen many examples... Meryl and Goldie in Death Becomes Her, for example, and maybe Octavia Spencer in Ma.

[@mattyd3079]

I really enjoyed your analysis. I have also watched this film many times. It’s the psychological aspects of Tom and Damon’s great acting that make the film so interesting. There’s so much in it. Thanks for uploading 😊

[@spoton7683]

At LAST - An insightful review worthy of this SUPERB movie - Thanks! 👍

[@frankleah5137]

Thank you, you explain in a great way. I too went to, A Temple. Struggling with acting....

[@kushalbhabra]

Beautiful analysis!

[@DanielWyrzykowski]

Great analysis, enjoyed your video a lot

[@oskaretc]

This kind of in-depth analysis of acting is exactly what i've been looking for for so long. Thank you so much for making this! I wonder if you'd have some recommendations of books that really dive into particular roles like this?

[@damianstarks3338]

This movie is a classic and your analysis is of this movie is perfect.

[@sundaylass6828]

Love this film and love Matt's performance ❤ new sub! Oh & love your analysis!

[@shooshatowers8059]

Dickie believes he is invincible. He's young, wealthy, entitled. He's slumming and goofing off. His future is assured, he thinks, a golden future with a woman who is a wealthy, blueblood, like himself regardless of what he does, or how many lives he crushes. Tom, on the other hand, is hungry. He knows the desperation of poverty and a lower status. He wants acceptance from Dickie as an equal, for his own sake.

[@TheWriterWalker]

Great analysis! Thank you.

[@urielmartinez6279]

Amazing content! Keep up the amazing work!

[@tomlewis5227]

love your videos, please make more!

[@stephaniestanley8041]

What a great review

[@djl5206]

This is brilliant. Thankyou.

[@josephtronicek6594]

It would be wonderful if you looked at Phantom Thread.

[@YouGottaAct]

Believe me, it’s on our list..!

[@bev9708]

Did you see that she did it? And it's a great one too!!

[@beingjohn392]

You did a very nice job here. Thank you, and continued success with your career in the industry. After listening to your full analysis, I am really impressed by it.

[@arontamas5639]

Everyone killed it in this movie. Matt Damon should have been also nominated not just Jude Law. Gwyneth Paltrow was also so exceptional!!

[@peteroconnor6394]

I think the actress who plays Meredith is very good.

[@nellywouters690]

J'ai vu ce film. Mat Damon est un très bon acteur. L'hitoire de ce film est fabuleux et le role de Mat Damon esf incroyable. J'ai adoré la façon dont il joue une double personally. Il tue sont rival pour prendre ça place et il arrive a manipulater tout le monde. Superbe film.🇧🇪🙏👍👌🎥🎞🎬🌈🌍💖🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@devinmorris9887]

I love this movie

[@DRthistle]

Interesting to read these comments because a lot of critics thought Damon gave a mediocre performance. I think it is more that they didn't understand the slightly different character that he was portraying in this version as compared with the novel or the original film.

[@XanderShiller]

Vulnerable Narcissism.

[@marioabangan6041]

in your own opinion, do you think Tom will be arrested after murdering Peter?

[@craigmurdock4740]

I really like all the performances in the movie, less Gwyneth’s though. Blanchett and Paltrow’s roles should have been reversed.

[@jainabaceesay5147]

bellisima

[@ALLfemalesLiecheatnsteal]

❤this story was personal for me. I befriended a covert narcissist sociopath. Everything about Tom Ripley reminded me of him and all the damage he left behind.

[@SarahSASshow]

same i dated one person who is exactly like ripley... lucky i got out of it.

[@JmsNmnn]

I love the ending of this movie. Tom had genuine feelings for Peter and saw him as a person he could have an honest relationship. The tragic irony of the story is that Tom’s own actions led to a situation where he is forced to kill the only person who has loved him for him, essentially dooming himself to a life full of deceit. The implication after the credits roll is that Tom will need to continue to impersonate Dickie for Meredith and her family while his lover lies dead in the cabin below. Rather dark if you think about it. Brilliant movie and so well cast

[@mayhit]

The ending of TTMR is maybe my favorite ending of a movie (while also being so dark that it keeps me from rewatching the movie very often because I just feel so messed up by it afterwards). It's basically a perfect, poetic, horrifying ending, IMO. What I love most about it is the details--not just that Tom kills Peter, but that he asks Peter to "tell [him] some good things about Tom Ripley" while he prepares to strangle him and then does so, making it chillingly clear that in killing Peter, Tom is killing anything good or positive or worthwhile in himself, too, and he _knows_ it. And then that final perfect, eerie shot of Tom, filmed through the slightly open closet(?) door, as he sits, now alone in the small cabin, and the rocking of the boat slowly, gradually eases the door shut on him--on our view of him--giving us the impression of Tom being softly, silently _closed inside_ that small box with himself, with a sense of horrifying finality. This whole movie is just wildly underappreciated, IMO.

[@JmsNmnn]

@@mayhit Perfect analysis. As Tom is killing Peter, he is also killing the last very shred of his true personality as Tom Ripley. He thought he would be able to live as Tom, with Peter, but realizes it just won't be possible. He will continue his life as an imposter to everyone, including himself. It's such an amazing ending for all the reasons you said. That last shot is also the first shot in the movie. I feel like it adds to the sense of inevitability of Tom's journey. He was always doomed to end up this way. I slept on this movie for many years. I think I had seen bits and pieces of it on TV, but after sitting down and watching it all the way through, it instantly shot up to my Top 5, if not my new Number 1. The cast is incredible, the production is incredible, and the story is incredible. Severely underrated

[@pdruiz2005]

@@mayhit I got the distinct feeling from his killing of Peter that Ripley had done this before, the killing of a male lover. There was just something so cold and calculating about how he lulls Peter into a sense of intimate safety as he sneaks up behind him. Very much like he's a practiced pro at strangulation. I feel that Ripley had killed the last shred of good in him years before he met Dickie and Peter, when he murdered previous male lovers in cold blood about to out him (in more ways than one). Thus this ending was Ripley quietly reproaching himself in his head for, again, having committed the sin he promised himself he wouldn't commit. The horrifying finality of that perfect, eerie shot is Ripley's realization that he will never change.

[@mayhit]

@@pdruiz2005 Huh, interesting. I very much do not get that impression AT ALL. Can't speak on the novel, which I know is a fair bit different from the movie (and, to my recollection, features a much more unapologetically sociopathic Ripley), but in the movie I feel quite certain that Dickie was Ripley's first kill, and that Peter was the first time he killed someone he cared about (and who he knew cared about him). But hey, art is subjective. Different interpretations for different folks!

[@DelGuy03]

@@pdruiz2005 My reaction is completely the opposite of yours. It seems to me that Tom is discovering all these potentials in himself as we see this story, and learning for the first time what he is capable of, both in love and in taking of life. At the end, he doesn't seem cool at all (he begs for Peter's affirmation) but he is applying the "solution" he has recently learned, as the only way out of his dilemma (as he sees it). And at the same time he's killing the good left in himself, feeling that he's not worthy to be loved. For whatever it may be worth, Anthony Minghella's commentary on the DVD backs me up on this.

[@AnthonyD1986]

Excellent movie. Damon’s best performance

[@gabiocampo6639]

he should had gotten an Oscar, 🙆‍♀️ I laso think is the best movie of all

[@audreikeam4224]

My favourite movie of all time the Talented Mr. RIPLEY Mat Damon's performance extraordinary

[@tristancelestin8175]

Your analysis is amazing! This movie is one of my favorites and I’m so glad someone did a deep dive. Can’t wait for more from you !

[@ivankamarelj3542]

This was excellent analysis for one of my favorite movies, Manuela! I'll look forward to more of your work. It would be great if you make analysis for another Highsmith's adaptation - CAROL. Paul Thomas Anderson's THE MASTER and PHANTOM THREAD also. And maybe Todd Haynes' FAR FROM HEAVEN too.

[@ivankamarelj3542]

Ah, I see PHANTOM THREAD is already there. Great!

[@amaliasafaryan4256]

i just don't like the second scene, its just so rushed? like out of nowhere dickie is so mean to him, it doesn't really fit....i think they should have built it up more slower....just the only scene i don't really like

[@win_cole]

Dickie is a bit of a volatile friend-to-everyone-and-no-one character right from the beginning, but there are a few previous scenes where they kind of build up Dickie's distrust/boredom towards Tom, like when he catches him wearing his clothes and snaps or when he dumps him for Freddie while increasingly neglecting him... like you can see their relationship is slowly deteriorating as Dickie is growing bored with him

[@bev9708]

@@win_cole Exactly! Plus what Marge explained to him about Dickie on the boat, AND Tom's behaviour in Rome when faced with Freddie seeing through him... Dickie saw Tom through Freddie's eyes.

[@vansh4383]

@@win_cole can you explain me what made Tom hit Dickie? I mean the conversation was going verbal what made him instantly hit him? Just like in whiplash when Andrew tackled Fletcher down in the competition

[@abcdjlncaiwhksjan5142]

Dickie was frustrated that Tom lied abt everything like going to Princeton and liking jazz but he was just holding it back since Tom was leaving soon anyway. Dickie was also very patient when he called the girl he loved a “problem” then burst into an anger.

[@abcdjlncaiwhksjan5142]

Great analysis. But I will forever be on Dickie’s side and I don’t get how people still like Tom. He betrayed the one person who was nicest to him because he couldn’t handle rejection and because of his greed. Dickie was holding it back after finding out that everything Tom said was a lie from going to Princeton to liking jazz. When he called Marge a “problem”, it rly upset Dickie but he was still trying not to show it since Tom was abt to leave soon. I get that Tom’s character is very complex but I also wish there were more analysis about Dickie and how he felt abt Tom.

[@HessSR]

Thanks a lot for this video! Great analysis

[@peteroconnor6394]

Your commentary shows much reflection.

[@thorfox3562]

Brilliant commentary. Thank you 🙏

[@bflkel]

This is really interesting!

[@YouGottaAct]

Thanks!