When we heard about Netflix’s remake of Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley novels, we thought in our quiet movie minds: Do we really need another Ripley adaptation?
Because yes, there has definitely been no shortage of movies about the narcissistic psychopath Tom Ripley.
Between 1955 and 1991, Highsmith published five Ripley novels. The first film adaptation came already in 1960, with the French film Full sun. Since then, we’ve seen Matt Damon star in The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), Ripley Under Ground came in 2005 starring Barry Pepper. IN The American Friend (1977) starred the iconic Dennis Hopper as Ripley, while John Malkovich starred in the 2002 version Ripley’s Game.
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Fascinatingly, we get to see Malkovich again in the Netflix miniseries, written and directed entirely by Steven Zaillian. An American film connoisseur most versed in screenwriting in the film world, with films such as The Irishman, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, American Gangster and Schindler’s List on his CV. Ripley is only his fifth effort as a director – you wouldn’t believe it!
We meet the introverted, asocial and slightly nerdy Tim Ripley (Andrew Scott) in his shabby apartment in New York in 1960. After the brutal drowning death of his parents, the young boy moved in with his condescending aunt, but now lives alone in the Big Apple and makes a living as a small-time con artist – where he has perfected his skills as a forger of ID cards and checks. Or as he says when he meets Dickie Greenleaf: “I work in accounting.”
His life takes an abrupt turn when he is approached by shipping tycoon Greenleaf, who is under the (wrong) impression that Ripley is hanging out with his bohemian son Dickie (Johnny Flynn). He is offered the job of persuading the “prodigal” son to return home, earning an all-expenses paid first-class trip to the picturesque seaside village of Atrani, on the Amalfi Coast just south of Naples.
Ripley (Foto: Netflix)
Here Tom quickly becomes friends with the easy-going, if somewhat spoiled and philosophical, but worldly Dickie. Much to the chagrin of Dickie’s girlfriend Marge (Dakota Fanning), they become drinking buddies and eventually roommates.
As Tom continues to exploit Dickie’s father financially, constantly lying to him about the “progress” in bringing his son home, he becomes increasingly fascinated by Dickie’s debauched, carefree life and becomes deeply jealous of his extravagant lifestyle. He becomes interested in art and Italian culture and is seduced by the gloomy paintings of the world famous Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Tom and Dickie become more and more symbiotic and Tom imitates him in every way – until the crime happens and he completely takes over his identity.
Ripley (Foto: Netflix)
It’s a fascinating dive into the human psyche that Highsmith serves up, dealing with envy, desire, decadence and corrupting decay. We are constantly in a subtle chamber game between the three protagonists, where Tom slowly but surely, almost invisibly, cynically and calculatingly wraps his fellow humans around his little finger.
Andrew Scott (All of us Strangers, Spectre) is a find in the role of the slightly awkward, slightly introverted but relentless psychopath who never lets himself be shaken. He is always sartorially prudent, and a little embarrassed, and dismisses difficult questions and doubts with an apologetic, cheeky smile. Even Scott’s way of walking, moving his body and looking down at the floor to avoid meeting eyes, is an embodiment of Highsmith’s complex character.
The way he elegantly ducks and plays cat-and-mouse with the sharp-witted police investigator Ravini (Maurizio Lombardi) of the Rome police is a delight for anyone who loves crime novels and thrillers.
Ripley (Foto: Netflix)
Johnny Flynn is somewhat anonymous as the extravagant billionaire heir, but the interaction and somewhat indefinable attraction between the two gentlemen heightens the tension. Dakota Johnson, just like her character, becomes a bit of a fifth wheel under the wagon, but is good as the annoying thorn in Tom’s eye.
We are not big fans of filming in black and white, it is a move that is often made to stick the label “art film” on the work. But in Ripley’s case, the monochrome style adds something unique to the series.
Ripley (Foto: Netflix)
Firstly, it fits the era and fits perfectly with the noir style that the series strives for, but also the stark, gray and black contrasts are perfect for the brutal story, where precisely the contradictions between people line up.
Almost as much credit for the series’ unique and characteristic style must go to the eminent cinematographer Robert Elswit (Magnolia, Nightcrawler) ha. There isn’t a stone figure, crooked alley, ledge or steel fence that he can’t find an interesting angle to film from, with a camera that is exemplary still. We follow along in i the story, like sedentary flies on the wall.
Director Zaillian is also behind the script, where the dialogue is as sharp as the action and the cold, sharp image sections. He exquisitely takes us on Ripley’s transformative and titillating journey.
The series is topped off by a lovely music track, seasoned with contemporary Italian percussion. Music that puts us in the right mood and is often a strong contrast to the brutal action.
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If we have to find something to complain about, some of the episodes are sometimes a bit long, some scenes could have been shortened a bit. But it’s just trifles, because if there’s something we really want, it’s to spend mer time in the mind of the fascinating manipulator Ripley. 6 clear stars for one of the biggest surprises on the series front so far this year!
Ripley has a global Netflix premiere on April 4. The review is based on all episodes.
Ripley (Foto: Netflix)
Ripley
Fact:
- Netflix
- Release: 4 april 2024
- Regi: Steven Zaillian
- With: Andrew Scott, Johnny Flynn, Dakota Fanning, Eliot Sumner, Maurizio Lombardi, Margherita Buy, John Malkovich
- Genre: Thriller
- Country: USA
- Year: 2024
- Length: 6:16
- Rating: 6
- IMDb
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