THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY – Review by Walker Conger (Mentorship Program Critic)
When Tom Ripley first plays the piano while wearing a borrowed Princeton jacket, there’s no way to expect what a thrilling ride director Anthony Minghella will take you on for the next two hours in his 1999 adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
An underrated entry of Matt Damon’s extensive filmography, the film follows Tom Ripley, a young man who gets sent to Italy in search of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), who has overstayed his welcome and is wanted back home by his father. The Princeton jacket gives Tom entry into this upper-class world that he is not familiar with but is a natural at pretending he is. He goes to Italy and is able to, for a moment, convince Dickie that he is just like him. Ripley becomes obsessed with him, ultimately leading to the destruction of those around Dickie, including his girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), and best friend, Freddie (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Themes of sexuality, belonging, and desire factor into all of Ripley’s moves, making his obsession go much deeper than only Dickie’s social status and luxuries.
Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel of the same name, The Talented Mr. Ripley captures the beautiful Italian scenery of small, tight-knit towns and the expansiveness of Rome and Venice. Aided by the heavy use of jazz throughout the score, the film paints a picture of a carefree, “la dolce vita” post-war lifestyle that would be very enticing to a struggling New York restroom attendant like Tom Ripley. Continue reading on THE FEMALE GAZE
ABOUT WALKER CONGER:
Walker Conger is a senior at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, getting a degree in Filmmaking with a concentration in Screenwriting. After UNCSA, she plans on getting her Masters in Archival Studies, where she can continue film education and work in a different format. While she enjoys films from every genre, her favorites are historical pieces, coming-of-age, and thrillers. Walker is an AWFJ/UNCSA Mentorship Program critic under the guidance of Professor Julia Swift.
ABOUT AWFJ/UNCSA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) have partnered to launch the AWFJ/UNCSA Mentorship Program, an initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic study and the professional world of film criticism. The program creates a vital pathway for the next generation of cultural commentators to transition into the industry. Its mission is to support aspiring film, television, and streaming reviewers by providing them with a professional platform and direct mentorship from established critics. By connecting UNCSA’s rigorous arts conservatory training with the AWFJ’s extensive journalistic experience, the program seeks to cultivate critics who are not only knowledgeable about cinema but also skilled in the craft of engaging, analytical writing for a broad audience. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to the future of film criticism, ensuring that emerging talent is nurtured, equipped with practical skills, and given the opportunity to build a professional portfolio before graduation.
