The Talented Mr. Ripley (15)
Director: Anthony Minghella
Starring: Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Cate Blanchett
Opening date: 25th February
The film begins on a most improbable footing. A rich business man meets a young man (Matt
Damon) who claims to have been at Harvard with his son and offers him £1000 to go to Italy and
bring back his wayward son (the beautiful Jude Law). The young man goes in search of Sebastian,
falls in love with him, kills him when rejected then consequently takes on his identity and
kills a string of other people for no apparent reason. Set in the 1950s before Rock 'n' Roll
arrived, the film has a smoky jazz soundtrack that simmers with more atmosphere than the film
itself. Much has been made of Damon taking on the role of a gay man, much debate about how risky
a career move it is, but I don't think he has anything to worry about. There is no gay sex, no
gay kisses, all we see are a few lingering gazes and an intense sniffing of another man's jacket
(which is obviously what gay people do for kicks). It's hardly the barrier-breaking brashness of
Queer As Folk. It seems you still can't be too gay in Hollywood.
The film moves from one set of improbable events to another. Jude Law does sparkle as the
enigmatic Sebastian, but you would hardly notice Gwenyth Paltrow was there at all. A very
average film.
by Sarah McIver.