The earlier versions of Ripley
Not the Sigourney Weaver (Ellen) Ripley, the mother of us all. I mean Matt Damon’s needy little sociopath in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Anthony Minghella’s 1999 adaptation of the Patricia Highsmith novel. The one where Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) cons Dickie Greenleaf’s (Jude Law) parents into sending him to Italy to retrieve their son. Yes, the one where Jude Law is so beautiful (he’s actually golden), we all turn into Tom Ripley.
In Plein Soleil (Purple Noon), Rene Clement’s 1960 adaptation of the Highsmith, Tom Ripley is played by Alain Delon. He’s blinding. I don’t even remember what Dickie (Here he’s called Philippe) looked like.
In 1977 Wim Wenders adapted another novel from Highsmith’s Ripley series, Ripley’s Game. Ripley has stayed on in Italy, having embarked on a career in art. I wouldn’t buy any Fra Angelicos from him. Here Tom Ripley is played by Dennis Hopper. Hey man, it’s Dennis Hopper.
Another version of Ripley’s Game appeared in 2002, this time directed by Liliana Cavani (The Night Porter). John Malkovich is Tom Ripley. I love the train murder sequence. Malkovich malkovich malkovich.
Interesting how filmmakers’ conceptions of Ripley encompass both leading men and great cinematic psychos.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
October 13th, 2010 at 00:20
alain delon! since i read your earlier post on le samourai, i’ve been trying to look for his movies. gorgeous!
October 13th, 2010 at 09:40
I agree, Alain Delon is delicious here, just not during the boat scenes, when they had to semi-strip–Maurice Ronet was both gwapo and buff, while Delon minus his trademark fedora and trenchcoat seemed lost and forlorn.
October 13th, 2010 at 19:51
We might also see an earlier Sigourney Weaver Ripley, if the Alien prequel movie pulls through.