Il ritorno di Mr. Ripley

I bought this, cheap on second hand DVD - and I didn't expect much. I had seen: "The talented Mr Ripley" and "Ripleys game" before - so I was a bit curious as to how this one would go down, because I haven't heard anything about it and that is usually a bad sign. - But.... I absolutely LOVED it. The plot was intriguing, and I loved the actors - and the ending - just perfect ! This is a movie I,m gonna watch again in a years time. At the end of this movie I actually raised my arms up and shouted: "Bloody hell!!! GREAT movie !!! There is also a bit of music in the middle of the movie when Tom goes to France I think for the first time - anyone know what music that is? Its beautiful.

Filmed back in 2004, but left on the shelf for 3 years, 'Ripley Under Ground' aka 'White On White' has been released on DVD in Europe.

Barry Pepper plays Ripley as something of a low-key rock-star - long hair, a close shave and charisma to burn – and the tone of the thing is far lighter than any of the previous incarnations - 'Purple Noon' ,'The American Friend', 'The Talented Mr. Ripley', 'Ripley's Game', etc.

Some early reviewers have referred to it as a 'comedy', but it's not, really. Unfortunately, the lighter tone actually hurts the film a bit, because this outing paints Mr. Ripley as less of a menace and sociopath than any of the Ripley films that have preceded it.

This interpretation apparently sprang from a comment that Ms. Highsmith made about the films adapted of her novels: She apparently felt that the films missed the humor of her character and the droll wit of her dark plots. But the humor in this effort tends to undermines the suspense.

Beside having freed Mr. Pepper from the short-haired grunt roles that he usually plays, the film really allows Alan Cumming and Claire Forlani to shine in ways that they usually aren't allowed to when they are shoe-horned into American accents. She is officially excused from having participated in 'Meet Joe Black'.

It's a good, but not great film. The delight was seeing Barry Pepper stretch-out in the kind of role he's seldom given.

I typically enjoy the Ripley films and novels for their psychopathy, but this was different enough to be enjoyable. If you come across it on cable or the Shanghai bootleg carrels try not to overlook it.

*** out of *****

This movie has all the ingredients to be a compelling movie. It has a great cast, good director, and the co-writer of The Bourne Identity. However, the movie doesn't explore it's themes and characters enough. It doesn't make full use of its interesting premise. The whole thing wasn't utilized. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) was a fascinating thriller/drama with a fascinating performance from Matt Damon and many compelling themes. Tom Ripley is a complex character and his books/films need depth. However, if you are able to get over that, this film is entertaining. Just don't expect anything great.

I randomly watched the movie in the TV,having no idea what i was going to see. Not bad but pretty fake at some point but even with the the cliché' of trying to be unpredictable,i enjoyed it.Tom Ripley with his friends are trying to hide the death of their talented painter-artist friend and make money out of his name pretending that he is alive but this isn't an easy job to do,Tom Ripley in his try to not be revealed is willing to do anything.....It is an average movie but it keeps your interest to watch it till the end,Barry Pepper's (Tom Ripley)acting was good and Claire Forlani(Cynthia) was the hottest in the movie,i enjoyed her sexy scenes and dialogs the most.So just fine to watch it but yet there is anything great to remember from the movie

I was pleasantly surprised by the comedy and the ending actually made me smile. Barry Pepper as always delivered a great performance and is hot is in this movie. I felt bad rooting for Tom Ripley even though I know he's very naughty. He had a nice chemistry with Jacinda Barrett. Their tender scenes made me giddy. Alan Cumming and Claire Forlani were so amusing, Tom Wilkinson and Wilhelm Dafoe were very effective in their roles. This movie should have been given better publicity and distribution. Such a shame that it did not get the attention it deserved.