I've not read the novel but seeing this film has definitely piqued my interest in doing so. The scenery, costumes, and overall performances are quite good and helped me for the most part enjoy this film. In particular I thought Jude Law gave an effortless yet excellent performance. Matt Damon on the other hand I think was miscast and too cloddish in his performance. It is this shortcoming that is the greatest detraction to this film. It's a shame because everything else is so good, and Damon can act for sure, I just don't Ripley is the role for him.

The Talented Mr. Ripley, adapted from Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel is a fairly unique and delightfully poignant character study of a young underachiever who is in search of an identity as much as he is of in success. This film delicately explores his relationship with an almost disaffected yet charmingly charismatic playboy and his fiancé, and how Tom Ripley, portrayed by a young, charming and genial Matt Damon. Tom Ridley is a remarkably unique character in the sense that he plays an almost anti-hero character longing for compassion, but is unable come to terms with himself and seems to doomed to constantly hide in the shadows of others until he manages to blot of their shadows with his own. I do not want to give away to actual events of the film as they unfold in a satisfyingly timely manner, relying entirely on Damon's character to scheme, manipulate and impersonate his way to innocence after his relationship with the aforementioned couple takes an interesting term. I can tell you that The Talented Mr. Ripley is a well-made film full of strong performances, interesting sets, and intimate dialogues. It's pacing is relatively slow at times, but during those moments you feel like you are thoroughly engaged with Mr. Ripley and his associates, and the suspense and mystery that comes all the more richly after the fine character developments and the intriguing multitude of emotions the strangely likable yet comparably vile characters(with the exception of the woman) experience. Overall, this film is certainly worth watching and kept my eyes fixed to the screen for the full 130 minutes.

Having said that, I've read a lot of the other reviews, and many seem to feel the characterization of Ripley in the book is superior to the film version. It sounds like the novel's Ripley was a more proactive kind of a guy: rather than waiting for things to happen to him, he went out and MADE them happen. That approach would seem to make more sense in this kind of drama. The Ripley of the film was almost inert. The only real effort he put into the story line was to learn something about jazz. Opportunistic in only the most passive of ways, he allowed events to wash over him like ocean waves and then only sprang into action when it was absolutely necessary to direct the events himself. This type of character rarely reaches significant levels of success in his chosen field, whether it's brain surgery or identity theft.I'll admit that I had my doubts about the plot from the start, right from the time Ripley "connected" with Greenleaf Senior over the Princeton jacket. I have a little experience with the "old boy" system and I find it almost impossible to believe that Ripley was able to convincingly present that he was ever at Princeton because I know the kinds of questions that always get asked when an alma mater is being discussed among fresh acquaintances.I'm one who didn't mind the length of the film, at least; it seemed to want to have a lot to say and I was fine with how long it took to try and tell it. I don't have much of an opinion on Matt Damon one way or the other, but he was nothing special here. Jude Law and Philip Seymour Hoffman turned in the best performances by far. The location shooting was beautiful.All in all, there was enough here to make me curious about reading the original novel someday, but the film itself is only average.

one of films defined by this simple expression. a good job. almost impeccable. because it is a thriller, a trip in Italy, an useful lesson of psychology and remind of the talent of few admirable actors. Jude Law is perfect in the skin of Mr. Ripley. sophisticated, selfish, profound in a bizarre manner, his character is the picture of a social class. Matt Damon is the inspired choice for the translation of a fundamental transformation step by step. the fascination about a friend, new life style, possibilities as gifts of a status, the seductive flavor of a dangerous game for survive. a film who reminds old fashion thrillers. and who has the great chance to have the perfect cast. one of memorable movies for rhythm, performances and the levels of story. see it !