Is ‘The Talented Mr. Ripley’ Matt Damon’s Best Performance? | The Rewatchables | The Ringer

[@compass_Matt]

It really is almost a completely different film after Dickie is gone. It's like that sunshine that Marge spoke of to Tom has left the film itself. It is just a testament of how special Judes performance was.

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

@compass_Matt Hello.I just watched it last night and I had the same impression as you. What surprised me most was the way Marge went from being a silly, shy girl to being alert, powerful, and ultra harsh (especially with Ripley), even before finding Dickie's rings in Tom's possession.

[@mphrdldn]

@@MultiSUPERLATIVOMarge looked mature and beautiful at the opera and later in Venice.

[@Blackberry21838]

This is my favorite film for all of these actors. I've watched it numerous times. It's such a weird film. Philip Seymour Hoffman is remarkable. I don't even know how to describe his performance in this movie. It's creepy but also self-aware.

[@cmhidalgo]

love him, been watching him forever since my dad watched that Pacino movie when I was a kid... Scent of a woman. And Twister. Did you see his son in Licorice Pizza?

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

@Blackberry21838 Hello. My first time watching the movie last night and am very much impressed.

[@blaisetelfer8499]

It's my favorite Damon performance, and Damon is an actor whose #1 spot wasn't easy to decide on. It's also one of my all time favorite screenplays and the film never loses its effect on me no matter how many times I see it.

[@doncicci9608]

I completely agree with you.

[@wendellarmbrusterjr2122]

I have always thought this is one of the greatest films ever made. So complex and sad and beautiful. A masterpiece.

[@jjmalaprop9968]

One of my top 10 all-time favorite films.

[@sarawashington5485]

True dat 👍I LOVE THE SOUNDTRACK 💜💜💜💜💜

[@vaskylark]

Best character in the movie is by far the one with no lines, Italy itself! Breathtaking shots. You can feel Italy jump through the screen it's so wonderful. The scenes in Venice were among my fave but just all of it, on the yacht, riding down the streets on the scooter soaking up all that local culture. I was mesmerized by the beauty of Italy.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

Yes!!! How they use Italy as the central location in the film is extraordinary, it looks both romantic and exotic at the same time, particularly being set during the prosperous post-war period in the 1950’s.

[@Locadel2003]

The great thing about this movie is the fact, the first hour was actually an entertaining fun time then when Jude law dies become a disturbing thriller with intense scenes and a very creepy performance by Matt Damon 3:05 exaclty

[@caitlintang9427]

I think Matt Damon is more suitable in a literature style. All the movies that he’s done before Bourne are very much his style. Unfortunately the Bourne series are doing so successfully, and then the Oceans, which lead him to the action and business films

[@kevinw712]

"where's Dickie, I wanna be around Dickie, I need to be around Dickie" from Sean is such a great out of context clip lol

[@lilpenny1982]

I was in Amalfi Coast 5 years ago on holidays. I hired a car and drove from Naples to Amalfi Coast. It was the best car ride of my life.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

This movie inspired me to go to Italy for my next big Europe trip!!!

[@lilpenny1982]

@@andrewburgemeister6684 Same for me too

[@savage_skirt5386]

I think this is Matt's best performance. I LOVE this movie. Minghella is superb here and Gwyneth's performance is quite good --- and she's pretty hit and miss (for me, at least). Jude Law (at his most beautiful), Cate and PSH are great additions.

[@sashap5238]

One of the best Rewatchables podcasts yet. Hilarious. Thanks!

[@zekelucente9702]

I love this movie it has a great story and the 50’s Italian travelogue with Jude Law is irresistible.

[@djstarsign]

God I love it when Bill steps into one his blind spots and either Sean or Chris gleefully point out his daftness. “Almost like an anti… hero”. 😂😂😂

[@Nikki-wt8ss]

Just rewatched it and I think what Matt Damon pulled off that is incredibly hard for any actor doing a role where the character does so many horrible and morally questionable things is that deep down you end up having sympathy for this guy Tom ripley. There are moments where you get a sense that horrible things have happened to Tom and Damon plays into that beautifully.

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

Hello. Even though Dickie and Frank are characters who live in a world of privilege where everything is possible and Tom is a very poor boy, I didn't have empathy for Tom. The easy life of some doesn't give me the right to apply blows against them, imo. I come from the same background as Ripley did. I may feel sorry for Tom, but it is not empathy.

[@cinemasnitch3959]

the youre crushing me line i figured was how couples will kid around when someone sits on their lap or what have you like "youre crushing me" as a joke as he straddles Peters back then eventually strangles him with the belt. Was not expecting that ending. finished the movie and came straight here hahaha

[@cheryl5768]

I just kept wanting to see PSH in every scene. Once he’s gone, the movie becomes slightly less great. Another great PSH (and Albert Finney) movie to cover would be Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

[@notinspectorgadget]

The wild thing about Gwyneth Paltrow to me is her ability to portray down-to-earth, supportive, natural human beings, like with feelings and vulnerabilities. Which seems counter to her real-life persona as a snake oil salesperson who forgot the snake oil was snake oil.

[@atrastire]

Thanks for the spirited, intelligent conversation about this intriguing film.

[@spikestampede146]

Just watched this movie for the 1st time, had to track down the Rewatchables instantly as usually do 🔥🔥🔥

[@DelGuy03]

This is one of my favorite movies -- pretty definitely my favorite of the last 30 years. And I loved all you had to say about it. The comparison with Highsmith's book is interesting, because it's often quite different. Tom in the book is an experienced petty criminal already, not an "innocent" who step by step is drawn into doing bad things (and he did in fact know of Dickie a bit, from brief contact with Princeton). The Cate Blanchett character isn't in the book at all; Minghella invented her to dramatize some of the points about class. And the point which is central in the movie, the journey from feeling alone, to being invited into a charmed circle, and then the pain of being ejected from it -- that's largely Mingella's contribution onto Highsmith's overall story. It's a marvelous transformation.

[@blu48]

On the topic of Damon playing "weird" "evil" characters, he did so in Suburbicon. Ripley by far is my favorite character he played. Plus the movie itself (TMR) is brilliant.

[@harrybeckwith9560]

Amanda, I was in charge of our honeymoon, too. So it was the Amalfi Coast, too: Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello--my favorite. A place like no other.

[@doncicci9608]

Fascinating discussion. My take on the death of Sylvania ; Dickie got her pregnant, and he refused to help her. Unwed pregnancy in Italy especially in the 50's meant permanent shame for the woman, as if she committed an atrocious crime. She killed herself and Dickie felt guilt for abandoning her.

[@savage_skirt5386]

Also making the most of the little screen time he got was the late-great James Rebhorn

[@BishopWalters12]

Yes, Damon plays himself most of the time but he really showed his range here.

[@btran213]

broke my heart when tom killed peter. he contemplated just staying in their cabin for the whole trip but peter mentioned he saw him kissing cate

[@MultiSUPERLATIVO]

@btran213 Ripley had to get rid of one of them (Meredith or Peter). Peter was vulnerable (sailing alone), while Meredith had several family members on board the ship, which made things difficult for Tom. Ripley realized that he would be unmasked if Meredith and Peter met. Meredith would start calling Tom "Dickie" in the presence of Peter and he would be lost!

[@joemckim1183]

You guys definitely should do a Rewatchables of LA Confidential.

[@knownpleasures]

These guys are great at dissecting the careers of the actors who appear in the movie.

[@TarikM]

Lol the birth of the anti-hero...french wave and film noir never happened in Bill's world

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Likewise even in Psycho, you don't want Norman to get caught, even immediately after he's just pushed the car into the swamp. Albeit the movie isn't showing him as the murderer.

[@dougmac6803]

Excellent movie and the actors were superb.

[@jayjones9225]

Great film and yes it really is a bunch of acting superstars in their prime

[@JimmyG415]

48:00 So its possible to have a convo about Phillip Baker Hall and him being the 'Library Detective' doesn't come up at all?

[@kishkaka]

Salutations from the UK. Thoroughly enjoyed your intelligent discussion and recap of one of the best movies ever, I’ve rewatched it countless times and massively agree with all your observations, thank you for posting. Would you all consider discussing the 1996 film ‘Bound’ the Wachowskis’ first feature? All your views and observations would be enthralling.

[@doncicci9608]

This film convinced me that Damon was for real as a talented authentic actor.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

Yeah, Good Will Hunting he obviously gave a very good performance given that he had written the film and the part himself, but this one would be my favourite of his!! 1997-99 was an incredible run for Damon just before he did the Oceans and Bourne franchises - Good Will Hunting, Saving Private Ryan and The Talented Mr Ripley are all great films of his and the latter two happened because Spielberg met him on the set of GWH and cast him for Private Ryan and Minghella had seen him in GWH and cast him for this one, such incredible luck behind that great run! This film he did a complete 180 from his previous two films and played an icky, narcissistic sociopath, it’s so unique because apart from this, The Departed and maybe Interstellar depending on how you look at it Damon hasn’t really done a lot of villain roles. I think his charisma on screen really adds to the performance and the movie, Ripley does some reprehensible things yet we can’t help but hope he gets away with it and feel tension when his close to being caught! I think this has to be Damon’s best performance in a movie!

[@blu48]

​​@@andrewburgemeister6684Totally agree! I also took notice of him in Courage Under Fire. His role was a supportive character but it was powerful.

[@zamis87]

They did reveal that Silvana was pregnant out of wedlock and she needed money but Dicky turned her down. But its not clear when Dicky and Silvana had that talk.

[@KJP-dv2uj]

Silvana was a young woman in 1950s Italy who was unwed and pregnant to an American guy who she was in love with, and was not going to stick around. It is not unbelievable that she committed suicide!

[@SteveJQ]

Knit pick your knit pick. Ripley got away with Peters murder because they were registered in separate cabins while keeping their companionship on the down low. Ripley was off the ship & free before anyone checked Peter's stateroom.

[@sianspherica]

It's Matt's best performance because it's one that is so unlike many of his other performances.

[@grandmama94]

U guys should check out "Plein Soleil" (french version of this from the 60's starring Alain Delon)

[@paulfrantizek102]

Purple Noon is a fantastic film. Matt Damon can't hold a candle to Alain Delon.

[@grandmama94]

@@paulfrantizek102 yes i agree..i was kinda bothered that they praise Damon so much when Delon's performance is miles ahead imho

[@orueom7720]

Well....Damon is American. The people doing this podcast lo and behold, are American. They view it through those lenses

[@jeremyatwood5166]

35:44 “Almost like an Anti.. Hero..” 😂

[@votdfak]

Keep them coming.

[@sheryldalton8965]

The characters of Tom & Dickie were not as likeable in the book. Tom had no love for Dickie & planned to kill him when they went on the boat ride. He pushed him overboard to kill him & almost drowned himself in the process. I still love the movie though it strayed from the book & have watched it many times.

[@stevemorse108]

Rarely is a remake better than the original and this is one example despite Alain Delon's magnetic good looks and debonaire style in the original. The remake has far more character depth and development and raises interesting psychological, existential even philosophical themes such as can anyone live with themselves after committing irreparable moral transgressions and not getting caught? Woody Allen raised this scene in Crimes and Misdemeanors and his answer is very subtle.

[@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!!

[@vaskylark]

I don't know, I didn't particularly like him. I liked Marge better and Meredith, what is wrong with her? Meredith was the most likeable character along with Peter.

[@marinamednick2099]

I like this version of the movie much more, then Italian " Purple noon" with Alein Delon

[@RMT192]

The only reason this film made so much money was people checking out what Anthony MInghella would do after the English Patient. That was a massive audience. They bought the tickets. And they've funded all kinds of vanity projects by Kristen Scott Thomas and Juliette Binoche ever since.

[@shawn9566]

Great Gatsby vibes from this movie. I'm sure it was an influence.

[@iiJet]

i love the absurdity and overwhelming amount of experience the wealth portrays

[@kimgibbs5544]

Cate was huge in Australia before making it in America. Cate was a theatre actress to start.

[@Indopator]

Bill had me cracking up defending Walter and then saying marge didn’t have A lot to say and her novel prob sucked 😭😭 love you boys. My favorite thing to do is spark up watch a movie then do the pod right after thank you guys for this content

[@mphrdldn]

I always thought that Marge probably did finish the novel. It may have changed tone after Dickie’s disappearance when Marge became more sophisticated and assertive.

[@AmountStax]

"The Informant!", Is right up there. Very underrated and not so known about film.

[@savage_skirt5386]

no way. Jude Law is a far superior Dicky to whatever Leo would have put on the table, wrong type entirely --- and Damon made the better Ripley as well

[@Will-sj1kx]

It’s a great old novel. That’s where it started

[@dfa3366]

Matt Damon in the 90's was his best work. Good Will Hunting to this movie and the underrated John Gresham's The Rainmaker and Saving Private Ryan but was more of a supporting than lead.

[@djstarsign]

As I rewatched the film, there were shots where Damon strongly resembled DiCaprio, so I could see how Leo could have played Ripley. He was boyish and innocent looking at the time and he’s a great actor so he could have pulled it off and I think I would have been a great performance. The one thing Damon has is that naturally awkward smile that makes him look a little creepy and adds to your perception of him being a duplicitous villain. But I’m sure Leo would have found a way to convey insecurity and vulnerability and now I kind of wish he was Ripley. Would have been an interesting film. Damon was great but I disagree with Bill (no surprise there), that the movie would have been worse.

[@christofferjenzen78]

Not enough Law love...most rewatchable scene,the opera,really? I mean,i have seen it 25 times but the boatscene is perfection,from acting to score to cinematography,you know shits gonna go down ....in the book the murder is planned and Dickie is just a lamb to the slaughter. But toms"You love ME,youre not marrying me!!" hehe,shows how deranged he is,even dickie is like"What did you just say'?"...sure,dickie dies bjut Law gave him an edge,a volatility. That ACCIDENTAL MURDER,though,lol....cause have you ever ripped an oar from a boat and split a guys head in 0.8 seconds? Okay...me neither cause thats silly. But i like your analysis, Watch the boatscene again,Law going from confused to bewildered to pissed and lashing out without dialog? Perfection,making him likable was a real challenge. And he clearly sent like 30 signals ,wanting Tom out of his life. but evidently,some feel like they have to support the protagonist. Tom is a sick monster and I hoped he got caught but the film is still a masterpiece, But with Dickie dead,Damon has no partner in crime,they hade a weird,odd connection that just...dickies death sets off the identity thriller part but his absence almost kills the film,

[@inimitableminimalist]

"Tom is a sick monster and I hoped he got caught" -- spoiler alert for the books, but he doesn't. he keeps on swindling and killing until he's an old man. one of the greatest villains in literary history. the boy who followed ripley is kind of weak but the other four books are fantastic.

[@savage_skirt5386]

The Days of Abandonement (for me, at least) is a far superior Ferrante novel (in response to her comment of/on My Brilliant Friend)

[@savage_skirt5386]

omg... i'm about the same age as Sean, there were so many Jenny/Jennifer's, Michael, Ryan, Sarah

[@RUDEMusicUS]

Just watched this for the first time. This movie gave me the creeps man. Damon is uncanny in this.

[@pauldank3453]

That boat scene

[@susannevisser5538]

Great interesting talks bout a fantastic 90ties movie

[@alanhiggs5826]

The only other villain part I can think of Matt Damon playing would be Dr. Mann in Interstellar.

[@matthewgrasso7167]

The Departed.

[@savage_skirt5386]

Silvana: she drowned herself b/c she was pregnant with Dicky's child and he wasn't stepping up to do anything about it. She felt great shame and sadness. The two guys hugging were her brothers.

[@mariadefatimagigeck1577]

One is her brother, the other is her fiancee

[@BLUEDELUCA]

Damon used airbrushing to make it look like he was wirey and ripped. He talks about that.

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

Ripley is actually a Re-make of a 1960s movie Purple Noon. The story has had several incarnations in filmography. For me this was very Hitchcockian, my patent, my word!! Everything about this movie is a 10 as far as I'm concerned. I've watched it so many times I can't count. You guys should review "Less Than Zero" one of my other favorites starring Andrew McCarthy, Jamie Gertz, Robert Downey Jr and James Spader at the latter end of the 80s.. Such a great Cautionary Tale with Robert Downey prophetically in a role of a rich kid with a terrible drug problem.. Thanks for this review!!

[@bacardibum]

i would watch that movie but i got a dinner rez at dorsia

[@Blackberry21838]

The "Apex Mountain" confuses even the people on the podcast. It needs a better set of rules to understand. I think he's means "The Pinnacle", which is a better definition of what he's trying to articulate.

[@lukeharbolt7681]

" Sean, you love everybody."

[@michellegray6033]

I could not watch Matt Damon in future movies for years after this . As for Jude Law, his charisma in this film is undeniable . Nothing against Damon, it’s just that role hit me with the creeps in 1999. Not now but then it was too much !

[@btran213]

1 good will hunting 2 talented mr ripley 3 bourne series

[@baliksupper6043]

This movie is made by the Italian tourist board,I absolutely love it.It’s a great storey and the actors look gorgeous but the reall star is Italia.

[@scottv9667]

Idk if this crew would consider or if they like it but I would love to hear Donnie Darko broken down. Well done again Ringer, Rewatchables is my favorite podcast

[@DoubleMonoLR]

Me too. The Salton Sea would also be an interesting one.

[@bbqnetwork8536]

When is Fletch episode and body double

[@bacardibum]

better yet, when is there going to a movie review for anything before 1972?

[@BobMcRoberts1991]

They forgot another whats aged the worst and also picky nits.. Italian law enforcement is terrible in this movie. Those cops were bad at their job.

[@ElectricCereal42]

Amanda Knox wants a word with you.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

I wonder what they think of the series on Netflix.

[@Wellspring604]

Do you guys still do film analysis and reviews? This was interesting!

[@donsaiya]

Yeah weekly every Tuesday, but I think only on Spotify to find.

[@nocuh]

30:27 PSH's little scoff/chuckle in the _"how's peeping?"_ scene is mrw woke-scolds bring their born again modern attitude into an art discussion

[@Bkaas]

Other good movies you guys should review from that era Gattaca, Great expectations, love and death on long island, mulholland drive.

[@jakecass7445]

Filmed in Ischia not positano

[@qmagnificent2529]

Damon was coming off of the floor of all the pretty horses bill

[@savage_skirt5386]

PSH is HILARIOUS in this movie.

[@jakecass7445]

Clint Eastwood started his movie career in Southern Italy

[@zekelucente9702]

Where is Jude Law these days?

[@deanwalker7216]

Where’s “The Verdict” ??!? (My apologies if missed it)

[@bacardibum]

they would do slapshot before they even sniffed that movie

[@savage_skirt5386]

Italy --- you want to go in October

[@sobeidalagrange7129]

42:00

[@Luvie1980]

Cate Blanchett became a star after Elizabeth.

[@djstarsign]

For at least the first two scenes he was in, I thought Jack was played by Matthew Goode, who also would have been great in that role.

[@qmagnificent2529]

Sean is incorrect regarding the Highsmith novels

[@olavbjortomt1596]

C'mon, Bill: Elizabeth was Cate Blanchett's first signature movie role. She got a Best Actress Oscar nod and she did a sequel.

[@savage_skirt5386]

Matt made better choices than Ben ---- but important to remember that he (Matt) is also a much better actor. Casey is the talent in that family.

[@authornahsun634]

There's another real life Dickey -- Dickey Simpkins, former Chicago Bull 💯

[@reallove16121969]

Yes!

[@strika1140]

57:35 lol, damn she hates Leo

[@laurencelikestopgun]

Tom Cruise was the director first choice for Ripley, would have loved to hear their thought on that alternative casting

[@vitaminr1426]

THAT'S RIGHT DICKIE, I AM DANGEROUS.

[@DoubleMonoLR]

I think he could've done it around that time, just early enough that he could've still been able to pull back his Tom Cruise-ness.

[@Pswayze23]

​@@DoubleMonoLRI think it had to be a guy in his 20s. I can't imagine eyes wide shut aged cruise playing Ripley.

[@blakewu1375]

This pod spent too much time on Paltrow, who was the weak link of the movie/cast. You should've spent more time on Patricia Highsmith, whose works will be adapted into more movies or series. She's a really interesting and unusual writer, and it's actually hard to make movies out of her novels because not much action happens in most of them--it's mostly psychological.

[@jacobaframian3182]

Please do a rewatchables for Dirty Harry.

[@mrmike616]

Yeah Dickie’s life sounds pretty horrible. Said no man ever.😂

[@rachnakapoor2685]

28:00 psh

[@savage_skirt5386]

Aw... Jennifer Aniston was really good at playing Rachel, b/c her comedic timing is actually perfect --- but i have to agree, she is typically pretty lackluster in her films

[@anthonyburn1010]

Pretty good in Office Space as well

[@savage_skirt5386]

@@anthonyburn1010 she's not in it all that much

[@Pswayze23]

Jennifer Aniston is so hot, it doesn't matter how good of an actor she is.

[@savage_skirt5386]

I thought Gwyn showed potential range in this movie.

[@bacardibum]

how's the peepin? chris ryan needs to be in this. fennessey likes to think he's roger ebert.