Why THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY is a Masterpiece

OFFICIAL SITE: www.raidersoft...
APPLE PODCASTS: tinyurl.com/y9...
SPOTIFY: tinyurl.com/y7...
PATREON: / raidersofthelostpodcast
MERCH: https:/teespring.com/stores/raiders-of-the-lost-podcast
GOOGLE PODCASTS: tinyurl.com/yx...
TIKTOK: / raidersofthelostpodcast
Raiders of the Lost Podcast is hosted by James Deveney & Anthony Deveney
#movie #thetalentedmrripley #ripley
Get 10% off you order at www.MoviePoste... with coupon code: RAIDERS10
Audio Engineer:
Jacob Kossler
Opening Music:
Chase Jackson

[@Busha69]

I finally watched the movie yesterday after having it on my watchlist for years...and now I'm obsessed and immediately went to listen to your podcast, which I skipped previously as I didn't want to get spoiled. What a picture indeed.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙌

[@vitamindealer7915]

Its an AWESOME movie, isn’t it?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@vitamindealer7915 one of my faves!

[@Busha69]

@@vitamindealer7915 I watched it 5 times since then 😂

[@Bend_Sinister]

@@Busha69 Buy the Blu Ray. The Directors commentary is the best I`ve ever heard. Anthony Mingella could read an Ikea catalogue and bring it to life.

[@wilhelm-z4t]

One of my favourite films. Love the era of 1950s Europe, love the classic elegance of 1950s fashion and, frankly, wish people dressed like that today, love the Amalfi Coast, love the score and then there's Jude Law and Matt Damon. It's all wonderfully acted and filmed, too. First, the incredible score, starting with the ominous, yet hauntingly beautiful, "Lullaby for Cain," which really sets the tone. I like how the two main characters are portrayed in music. Tom with classical music, and Dickie, very au courant for the time, although, perhaps, superficially so, with Jazz. When Tom and Dickie are together, it's Jazz, because Tom has subordinated himself to Dickie and his lifestyle. The music is so symbolic, too. As Tom is leaving his extremely humble home, we hear "Mache dich, mein Herze, rein," from JS Bach's St. Matthew's Passion. The text means "Be pure, my heart" or, more literally, "Make yourself pure my heart." The aria is basically about death. It's almost like the chorus in a Greek tragedy warning the hero or, in this case, the antihero to be careful not to fall into the pit. Then there's Tom singing "My Funny Valentine," which also refers to the heart: "You make me smile in my heart." The song is by Rogers (composer) and Hart (lyricist). Hart was a closeted homosexual, and this often led to dualities in his lyrics, such as in "My Funny Valentine," which is about same-sex love. After Dickie's demise, Tom reverts to his true self, the classics. However, he's now reborn affluent and can indulge his passions. He's at the Opera, watching "Eugene Onegin" by Tchaikovsky. Ripley's in a tuxedo, in a box which includes a glamorous Meredith. He knows what comes next in the opera. The scene is the duel between two friends, Onegin and Lensky. Lensky sings his aria before the duel. Neither wants to fight, but neither has the courage to end it. Eventually, Onegin shoots Lensky dead. Blood pours from Lensky's neck onto the snow. Onegin, horrified at the death of his friend, goes over, wraps Lensky in his cloak and kneels holding him... Of course, this triggers Ripley, who can barely hide his emotion because it's a replay of his final encounter with Dickie. Later, in Venice after Tom and Peter Smith-Kingsley have connected, in a profoundly dark and introspective moment, it's Vivaldi's "Stabat Mater," which is all about excruciating suffering resulting from death. Tom's plays a piano transcription of the opening movement and tells Peter: "Don't you put the past in a room, in the cellar, and lock the door and just never go in there? Because that's what I do. Then you meet someone special and all you want to do is toss them the key, say open up, step inside, but you can't because it's dark and there are demons and if anybody saw how ugly it was... I keep wanting to do that - fling open the door - let the light in, clean everything out. If I could get a huge eraser and rub everything out...starting with myself...the thing is, Peter, if..." Given all that we know, that's so horribly sad. Who is Tom Ripley? Well, he's certainly talented. Not just because he's an adroit liar and forger. No, Tom is actually extremely intelligent and cultivated. Tom really should be the trust-fund baby, and Dickie should be living in a squalid basement apartment. That's sort of what happens, isn't it? Tom's an introvert, but he craves companionship and love. He's also homosexual. Dickie's apparently bisexual and really rather shallow. Freddie Miles is an obnoxious and boorish louche, who's friends with Dickie and Marge. I think he's gay, too. Freddie resents Tom for intruding into the rarified atmosphere of his patrician friends' group and loves to demean and humiliate Tom for his plebian background and tastes. I applaud his demise. Oh, when Freddie shows up at Dickie's, aka Tom's, Rome apartment, Tom is playing the opening Allegro of JS Bach's aptly named "Italian Concerto." Peter Smith-Kingsley, like Tom, is also gay. He's another Dickie cast-off, I think. He's a musician and conductor. Unlike Tom and Dickie, who are really sort of opposites, Tom and Peter are totally and completely simpatico, which makes what happens so terribly, terribly tragic and completely wrong. Even if Tom gets away with it, he's always going to be alone. "The Talented Mr Ripley" is no mean tragedy! It's rather sad that so few people have reacted to this film. It's really an interesting study, wonderfully executed. Very much underrated. Criminally so, really.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@mphrdldn]

Great insight especially matching the scenes with the soundtrack.

[@ericlorenzo6570]

Tom Ripley is a “wicked smaht” (and completely insane) killer. Loved this episode thanks guys!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂🙌

[@hugegnarlyeyeball]

Such a great film. One of the best adaptations in film history. It is faithful to the novel but with a few really effective changes.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@hugegnarlyeyeball 100%

[@HelenaAlbaValdes]

Thanks a lot for speaking about the costume design in detail. I REALLY appreciated that.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🫡

[@mphrdldn]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_Ann Roth, costumes, spoke at the Allentown Art Museum a number of years ago. She mentioned choosing the lime green bathing suit for Matt Damon.

[@Falstaff85]

Not mentioned - the opera they see is Eugene Onegin. The scene they watch is two friends (Onegin and Lensky) who are forced by pride and social convention to fight a duel to the death.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

So cool! Thanks

[@eboli7146]

Anthony Minghella was an extraordinary man. This movie and the English Patient, are among my favourite films of all time. They are both extremely beautifully visually, musically (he collaborated with Gabriel Yared for both), and profoundly layered studies of the human condition. All wrapped in fairly simple stories. An amazing man and contributor to cinema.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Absolutely

[@TheTitanGen]

I actually like listening to episodes of films I've never seen before and then watching after or at least listen to enough and finish the ep after watching the movie. Because you guys do in depth analysis of themes, bts, and more, It makes me wanna see the movie. I've never even heard of The Talented Mr. Ripley before hearing on you podcast. But now having seen the film its soo freaking good. I gotta check out the books soon too.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ElricZ]

I haven't watched this movie so... I'm going to watch it just to hear you guys talk about it 😁

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

Definitely watch it, it’s a great film!!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Awwwwwe 😁

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@andrewburgemeister6684 100%

[@blu48]

I am a movie buff and this movie is one of my all time favorites.

[@harithomas6942]

This is such a good film

[@oppothumbs1]

If Tom did grow up in an orphanage and poverty, then one could argue (weakly) that Tom is a anti-hero and probably a better human than charming Dickie. Even after all of his murders, with the except of kindly Peter (though Tom takes no joy in it as we see him in the aftermath), we root for Tom a bit. Also Dickie is charmastic but I would not want to be his friend with his love his jazz (who cares?), cheating on Marge, mooching off his father and Tom. And Dickie is somewhat boring too like Tom. But Tom gets bored with all his friends and lover. His special moments with Marge are similar to Toms and Peters. Everyone has their day.Tom is a lonely moocher but he is looking for love, but lacks morals as surely does Dickie. Matt Damon has never given a better performance nor Jude Law and Philip Seymour L Bangs Hoffman. A great movie; never a dull moment.

[@remsan03]

This is one of my most rewatched movies. And after the 2024 netflix Ripley (which I thought as a bore-fest and so lack-luster), I become even more appreciative of the 1999 movie. This is excellent discussion, guys. I need to re-watch it again after Anthony pointed out the xylophone track every time Tom lies.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Same!

[@AngelinaDolceVitaAdventures]

The scenes with sunny beach and the South where marg and Dickie lived ISCHIA

[@ENDTIMEsVideoLibrary]

If you guys want another Hidden Gem of a movie that's a true classic.. The Purple Rose of Cairo is such an excellent film! It's another one that people get totally addicted to once they see it! Like The Talented Mr Ripley it's one I've watched sooo many times over the years. It's classic comedy, adventure, romance and wraps up in a way that really makes you examine the main characters and their motivations. Directed by Woody Allen.. starring Miah Farrow, Jeff Daniels and Danny Aiello.. I think you'll love this one if you haven't already seen it!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

On it!

[@daisyrobinson1648]

I adore this film, I’m forever grateful that I stumbled across it on Netflix one day

[@KC-ez6yv]

What a masterpiece! One of my favourite movies 🍿

[@T3CHPR135T]

One of the few movies ive seen where i didnt see the twist coming, thought it was just gonne be a "catch me if you can" movie Incredibly good writing and pacing

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

100%

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_i love how this film is about class, italy, social etiquette, the wardrobe, etc, it is amazing

[@damianstarks3338]

This movie is a pure classic happy to see you guys reviewing this movie again. This movie is iconic indeed

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

💯💯💯💯

[@mphrdldn]

Why did Mr. Greenleaf like Tom so much? You know the chauffeur told him about Tom’s basement apartment. He could have had Tom investigated. Tom appeared to him as the son he wanted to have: respectful toward adults, liking and playing the right music (classical), not bad looking and attended Princeton. Mr. Greenleaf even said something about this in Venice: “….. but you can’t choose your children.” Maybe Tom gave him that opportunity?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Try but he thought Tom went to Princeton, so that’s a big deal, plus Tom respect him

[@mphrdldn]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_yes, add Princeton to the list.

[@andrewburgemeister6684]

I watched The Talented Mr Ripley for the first time a couple of weeks back and I loved it!! Next Europe trip I do Italy is going to be a must-see destination!!! I have to say I think Matt Damon gives his best performance in this film, he brings his natural charisma that had been brought to the world with Good Will Hunting and solidified with Saving Private Ryan but in a role that makes your skin crawl, he leans into very villainous territory here. 1997-99 was a great run for him! Also terrific performances from Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Phillip Seymour Hoffman (best performance in the movie IMO), and Cate Blanchett who some people felt was a little underused given she was also great!! The costumes and makeup is also fantastic in this film and makes the cast look absolutely stunning! Looking forward to setting time aside to watch the Netflix miniseries adaption for comparison!!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Glad you loved it!

[@mphrdldn]

Regarding whether Tom really loved Peter, one approach could be how did Patricia Highsmith want the reader to feel at the end? Especially if the reader wanted the best for Tom, his killing someone he loved is heart-wrenching. But, he had to kill Peter no matter how he felt about him. Now he could feel a different emotion: trapped. He had chosen to play Dickie Greenleaf as long as he was on the ship. No more darting between two identities.

[@reallove16121969]

My all-time favorite movie. ❤Matt Damon was truly amazing as Tom Ripley and should have been nominated for an Oscar.🧡

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

100%

[@joshuamihalow6054]

How the HELL do both of you have the EXACT SAME VOICE ??

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@joshuamihalow6054 twins!

[@joshuamihalow6054]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ so then which one of you is wearing a disguise?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@joshuamihalow6054 well never tell 🤫

[@AngelinaDolceVitaAdventures]

Marg and Dickie were in Ischia by Naples

[@greyfriars6540]

IMO Jude Law's blue suit is up there with Cary Grant's grey suit in North by Northwest.

[@proteusastrology2502]

Amazing that you managed to analyse this entire film in such detail and clearly with a lot of relish that I think it deseres, but without ever once using the words 'malignant narcissist' or 'borderline personality disorder' or the spectrum between sociopathy/psychopathy.. Tom fits the bill and answers the profile outlined in Robert Hare's book 'Without Conscience'..but HIghsmith plays slyly with that splintered identity within and consigning real thoughts to 'the basement' . Plus,you managed to overlook Alain Delon's nuanced perforance and looks, and fashion in the original fim 'Plein Soleil'..Once you see that one, the comparison can get competitive. Also one of the great scenes is the towel dropping, why brush that over so quickly. He's naked but never emotionally naked just a little with Peter. It is definiitely worth watching again, but I didn't think the Meredith character worked that well.Cate Blanchet had difficulty appearing naive about what was going on in front of her eyes.Lol

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@proteusastrology2502 great comment!

[@castortroy52]

Not gonna lie having no movie news yesterday gave me withdrawals. Then you drop this banger and totally redeem yourself!!!

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Hell yes!!

[@TheElectricUnderground]

I love this ep and this film, excellent work fellas

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!

[@mphrdldn]

Regarding Dickie’s dark past and his being Marge’s fiancée, what was Marge’s parents’ view of Dickie? I am surprised that an upper class family at that time would support their daughter living abroad with a man. You would think they would have sent someone to retrieve her. But that man was an heir to a fortune. I imagine Marge returned to her family a changed woman. Not to be unkind but maybe she will find it easier to finish writing that book.

[@wilhelm-z4t]

When Marge says Dickie doesn't like to be confronted, and Tom, after a pause, quietly says "I think you're right," I took that a totally different way. It's Tom, reflecting on his last interaction with Dickie. Tom did confront Dickie with his (Tom's) homosexuality and love for Dickie AND Dickie's perceived past reciprocation. Dickie didn't like being confronted with the _truth_ and reacted very negatively, which led to his death. It's rather ironic, isn't it? Tom actually telling the truth had a very negative consequence. Tom's murder of Dickie was quasi-self-defence and quasi-crime-of-passion. However, once you've killed, it becomes easier to do it again. It is interesting that Tom can be truthful to people he loves. He's very truthful with Peter and comes close to telling him everything, I think. Tom actually wants to tell the truth, but he's used lies so much in his life as a defence mechanism that it's difficult for him to overcome the inertia. There is this inner conflict in him. Tom clearly does very bad things. Killing Peter being the absolute worst. That was the worst sort of wrong. However, he never enjoys killing and regrets it. Also, all his killings are a reaction to a perceived threat. Tom can, paradoxically, use truth to disarm people. Doesn't he tell Dickie the truth about his mission straightaway? Here he used the truth to ingratiate himself with Dickie. He's also read Dickie correctly. Rather brilliant, actually. I imagine Tom as an extremely intelligent man and cultured, too, who's been looked-down-upon, insulted, mocked and picked-on his entire life, probably for being seen as someone aspiring to go beyond his perceived station-in-life. He's clearly extremely sensitive and rather effeminate at times. To top it off, he's homosexual. Consequently, he's developed a very intense defensive shield that involves lying and pretending to be what he's not. He can also lash-out violently when pushed too far. Yes, I agree that Tom desperately wants to climb the social ladder, to improve his prospects and to surround himself with the things he enjoys. Working at the concert hall, isn't so much about being around the great and the good, it's about being around the music and culture he enjoys. Also, being a bathroom attendant might have the additional benefit of a potential gay hook-up. So, I don't really see him as a sociopath or psychopath per se, although, clearly, he has major issues. What were Cain's sins? Murder, certainly. Lying, also. Jealousy, that, too. He killed Abel because he was jealous. He was cursed to be perpetually restless, a wanderer, amongst other things. Oh, the hat Dickie wears is a porkpie hat. Very 50s. I like it, too. The reflection on the train is also a kiss. Tom and Peter clearly love one another. That is 100% certain. That's why it's so wrong. So very wrong. Tom should've just jumped off the boat, really, and spared Peter. He's being so selfish, like Dickie. Note how the two people Tom loved, Dickie and Peter, both died on water. Water is symbolic of both death and rebirth.

[@blu48]

I'm so hoping someone will post this movie on YT.

[@nadagabri5783]

I don’t know why they think Freddy’s an idiot. I highly disagree with that. Freddy’s no idiot..

[@averycovington5955]

Loved this episode keep up the great work

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Thank you!

[@Bend_Sinister]

I think we feel sympathy for Tom as he`s not just a moocher in the financial sense but in a wider, more complete sense. He`s spent his life with his nose pressed against the window of life watching (and understanding) the effortless abundance (family, friends, financial, opportunity) of those on the other side of the glass and wanders "Why not me?". He`s a loser (and he is and he knows this lets be honest) by circumstance and not by choice and he needs a way out. An easy escape is to con, pretend and cajole his way in and be entertaining enough so they want him around (at least for a while until they tire of using him) as a good time is not a long time and a unequal relationship always comes with an expiration date. I think Neil Cassidy in real life was in a similar situation.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

100%

[@elizaward2092]

lets go! One of my favorites :)

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙌🙌

[@michellecrocker2485]

I don’t think it starts out as homicide. I think what they fail to mention in the movie is that dickie attacked Tom in anger and so, it looks like Tom acted in self defense. You see immediately after the incident, he’s genuinely panicked but Dickie would have ended him. It’s only when he’s backed up a corner and at danger of being found out is when he gets the idea that he needs to kill anyone who acts suspicious about him. I’m not condoning the homicide but I wonder if things might have been less of a problem had he just mentioned the self defense

[@delatroy]

Love this movie. Ripleys Game is great too. Any others like this where you gradually side with the villain?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@delatroy American Psycho, Psycho, Peeping Tom

[@delatroy]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ thank you. What is the Ripley Netflix series like?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@delatroy very different but still great

[@delatroy]

⁠your analysis was excellent. I think the ring was stolen also out of envy that Tom will never emulate that encapsulates the essence of dickie

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@delatroy Great point!

[@Vermar33]

Have u guys ever seen Purple Noon "Plein Soleil" 1960 with Alain Delon?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Never!

[@Vermar33]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ I recommend you to watch it since you like this one so much! Big fan of the podcast!

[@AmicaCream]

It's an awesome movie too i love it ❤

[@AmicaCream]

​@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ definitely worth watching its a great movie, would love to know your opinion about it, maybe a comparison between both versions?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@AmicaCream 🫡

[@timcorns9351]

Very well observed comments on a truly great film.

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@timcorns9351 🫡

[@ryanyuk]

Anthony Minghella died way too early. I LOL'd when the director of Saltburn said she never took inspirations from this movie or Plein Soleil. Like, girl, who you kidding

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙏🙏

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Seriously!

[@KaraMarisa]

awesome take

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@KaraMarisa 🫡

[@clevelandplonsey7480]

Good analysis

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🙌

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_excellent podcast. Loved your analyis and insight. I would like to add the 1990s, was the era of Goldenfilmmaking. Mainstream actors, mainstream director, maintream budget, mainstream marketing, but script? TOTALLY not mainstream!! A gay conman goes to italy and becomes so enamoured with the target of his assignment he takes over his identity. It is such an off beat plot, like many movies that got greenlit in the 90s

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@vitamindealer7915 thanks so much!

[@Theoryofdance]

Where is the movie news

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Not this week 😭

[@Theoryofdance]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ unsubscribed

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@Theoryofdance NOOOOOOOO

[@tahirrobinson8825]

🔥🔥

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😎

[@dianasummers6075]

Recently, yes. I love this embellished remake with Matt Damon & Jude Law. It's genius!

[@vitamindealer7915]

Poor people cannot swim

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@vitamindealer7915 😂

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_i literally think that is why Tom is afraid of the water. Not sure if the director intended it.

[@vinalbridglall699]

That was my unsubscribe. This is now my favourite episode😀

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂🤩

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_question: what happens AFTER the end of the movie? Does Ripley dump Tom’s body into the sea, and leave the boat? Does he get caught?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@vitamindealer7915 yes but it happens halfway through this film and he then tries to evade police detection

[@vitamindealer7915]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ whoops sorry. I am referring to the murder of Peter. at the end of the film. What do you think happens at after the end of the film? Does Ripley successfully get rid of the body? Or does he get caught?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

@@vitamindealer7915 ohh yeah he definitely gets away with it

[@maxon1712]

can u maybe do ripley too ?

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

🫡

[@maxon1712]

@@raidersofthelostpodcast_ ripley is good but it takes a drastically different approach to the text

[@michellecrocker2485]

Dickie is kind of a jerk. Marge deserved better

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

Oh yeah he’s a huge jerk

[@benhuff9592]

Anythony just found out after watching "The New Wold" that Pocahontas traveled to England to meet the king and queen. SMH, has watched over 4,000 movies but hasn't watched the Disney direct-to-video master piece, Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World. #UNSUBSCRIBED

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@H4shslingingslasher]

These so called “fans” calling you GOATS??? 🐐 RUDE! Free movie poster plz tysm

[@raidersofthelostpodcast_]

😎