Ripley - Frames in Frames - Cinematography Breakdown

In this instalment I take a look at the use of Frames within Frames in the new Black and White Netflix Series Ripley.
Breaking down the cinematography of a series can be a lengthy and subjective process! So I'm trying to be more focused and look at a particular element each episode, I will always deviate and go off on a tangent when there are other elements at play... But I want to try and stay fairly focused!
The Cinematography in Ripley is striking, the most obvious aspect being the bold black and white, which often made me smile when characters commented on a colourful thing in world.
The use of frames within frames can help to create layering and depth within shots. It can also have a narrative purpose by separating characters with an in world barrier, that can easily be circumnavigated... but often is a representation of something else that is keeping the separate.
For Ripley the theme of art works, passport photos and light play a pivotal part in the story telling. So the constant use of frames within frames has more than a little symmetry to those themes.

[@mc121]

Absolutely astounding cinematography! Ripley is a masterclass in high contrast b&w film, camera placement, angle shots, lighting... I had to pause each scene and examine framing and camera placement... how each scene is framed and shot... for example, there's an amazing shot from a car's bumper ... or from the perspective of shoes ... high, low, tilted, unexpected angles... really a work of art... lovely noir effects... tight close ups... really captures mood and atmosphere...

[@Dale_Campbell]

I agree! I know that a lot of people have spoken about finding it hard to watch, and to some extent I also agree with that… I did find that at a certain level the cinematography (which is stunning) was also distracting. Tricky one to pin down as I love a lot of the aspects you’ve mentioned above, but do wonder if some of it came at the price of telling the story in the best way. Dare I say it could have been trimmed by an hour or two and spent its time more effectively… 😱

[@matt_ellis]

Loved the breakdown

[@Dale_Campbell]

Thanks Matt!

[@Mr7Poz]

Although I fell in love with it, the cinematography is almost too good in this film. I was looking at each frame so much, it almost took me out.

[@Dale_Campbell]

I get that! It’s sort of how I felt, very ‘aware’ of it.

[@edc5338]

I loved the series. The luscious B&W cinematography, framing and composition were above par. There was extensive use of side lighting in the film. Add to this the deadpan expressions of all the actors. The filmic motif in the series seemed to be the stairs and steps throughout, The mise en scene was prolific. And, that cat! There are elements that hint at a season 2 if Zaillian is interested.

[@Dale_Campbell]

Was certainly a classic film fans series! And the little nod of John Malkovich being in there as another forger was nice as he played Ripley in an older film adaptation. Will be interesting to see how successful this is for Netflix and if they green light another season… at the moment everything seems to be one and done 🥲

[@edc5338]

@@Dale_Campbell Malkovich was a nice touch.

[@BatmanOneEightZero]

I think in the scene where Tom is ascending the stairs, the smallest frame is a Caravaggio homage. Same for the Marge in a bathtub scene.

[@retrospecter100]

Such a superb example of film as a true visual medium. The Rhetoric of Film. is alive and well, in "Ripley". Kubrick would have loved it.

[@Dale_Campbell]

I wonder if they will leave it at this, or try and adapt the later Ripley books…

[@retrospecter100]

@@Dale_Campbell Our sense of sight wants more!

[@ramonbmovies]

I agree. Only a genius could make a film like this in the digital age.

[@richardichard4237]

You profess the know the thoughts and feelings of Stanley Kubrick....?? Not only arrogant, and presumptive, but desperately trying to sound clever and knowledgeable by dropping the well known name Kubrick. Perhaps Toland would've enjoyed the homage, but there's zero Kubrick influence here....Your comment is frankly moronic.

[@ramonbmovies]

Is part of the aesthetic w/ light done w/ hard light? Because it doesn't seem soft to me in some scenes. Also, I'm wondering why they chose to do it in B&W. What did that B&W do that color can't do? BTW, lighting also seemed quite natural, especially on indoor scenes.

[@ramonbmovies]

Another comment - It felt like an homage to film noir, almost as if the director thought of that genre as the best quality and wanted to emulate it. Certainly, B&W requires expert lighting. And the fact that there weren't digital effects and such brought out the story so much more.

[@richardichard4237]

Boring voice....I know, it is what it is, but you have a monochrome voice.... Who is this for....enthusiasts of, as Basil Fawlty would say, " the bleeding obvious "....??