Ripley's Game
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Movie Reviews of Ripley's Game
Movie Review: Superb psychological thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
Twice as enjoyable as "The Talented Mr. Ripley", and probably shot for a tenth of the price, this later installment in the Ripley saga can happily dispense with the coming-of-age angst and crank up the mature Ripley's violent menace. Living a quiet life in a villa near Venice, Ripley is called upon by an old partner to arrange an assassination. After some consideration he proposes a total innocent for the dangerous task - a local picture framer against whom Ripley has a grudge. Ripley also knows the man is terminally ill and will need money to provide for his wife and son. He looks to be a suitable pawn but, of course, not everything goes as planned . . . John Malkovich brings a chilling and seductive elegance to the role of Ripley which Matt Damon could never provide. It's essential here, because what's important about this story is Ripley's utter amorality and dangerous vanity, and how both traits lead him into a situation in which his self-conception is ultimately challenged. The screenplay has just the right mix of psychological sophistication and edge-of-your-seat plotting, and Liliana Cavani's assured (and occasionally bloodthirsty) direction makes the most of it. In the excellent cast, Ray Winstone is particularly memorable as Ripley's violently inept offsider, Reeves.Movie Review: A Solid Crime Movie, Thanks To Three Leads
Summary: 4 Stars
This was good; a solid crime story. It's the "Tom Ripley" of "The Talented Mr. Ripley," but now older and being played by John Malkovich instead of Matt Damon. He's also, at least to me, a totally different character so this story stands on its own. There's no tie-in to that previous film
Malkovich plays his normal role, playing the kind of character he's good at playing: the smart, sarcastic and sadistic villain with the interesting vocabulary.
The plot in this movie revolves around Ripley having someone else do some of the latest killings for him, an "average Joe" that no one would suspect. That role is played by Dougray Scott, a young Englishman with a wife and young son, but a man who is dying of leukemia and could use a little extra money for his family when he's gone. Ripley's partner "Reeves" also is an intriguing guy, played by Ray Winstone who also often portrays this time of character: a vicious, profane thug. If you saw "Sexy Beast," you'll know the type of guy Winstone plays here.
Suffice to say this wound up a pleasant surprise: great dialog, good photography and acting, some dark humor along with good suspense and just the right amount of action and lulls. It is heavy on the profanity, so beware of that.
Movie Review: Excellent thriller
Summary: 4 Stars
I've seen this twice now and the first time I thought it was a good film. The second time its better than 4 stars for me. As a previous reveiwer has pointed out the premise of the story is a little unlikely, but I assume its at least partially based on the book. The author Patricia Highsmith wrote another equally unlikely story which was made into Hitchcocks 'Strangers on a Train'. So if its reality you want perhaps you should look elsewhere.
Malkovich dominates the film. He is just naturally blessed with an odd voice and unique screen presence, and he puts it to very good use in this film, particularly in some of the scenes where a nice line in black comedy occurs, which of course ideally suits Malkovichs laconic delivery. Both Ray Winstone and Dougray Scott provide good support with perhaps Scott being the better of the two. His portrayal of a desperate man dying of cancer, who doesn't realise what hes started when he insults Ripley is a fine piece of acting.
In some ways it reminded me of 'Hannibal' (another under-rated film) which was also set in a European city. If you're unsure rent it, but having seen it twice now I'm quite keen to see it a third time sooner rather than later.
Movie Review: COLD-HEARTED BUT SAUVE CRIME IN BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN COUNTRY..
Summary: 4 Stars
You'll recall Mr. Ripley from Matt Damon's "The Talented Mr. Ripley", which was a movie I had enjoyed for its rhythm but not for its very predictable plot. This sequel of sorts, with Malkovich playing a more mature Mr. Ripley, is in a similar vein -- not so much of a proforma thriller but more of a field trip inside a criminal's black mind -- but it holds its own pretty well.
As the effortless screenplay sways between the sprawling Italian countryside and the busy architecture of Berlin, we are somehow left rooting for a couple of mincing murderous creeps.
Malkovich's rendition of a mature Ripley sports a fascinatingly life-like rhythm. Our crook leads an immaculate life of the perfect gentleman connoisseur. We find him bicycling, practicing yoga, and, yes, sewing in bed. Even after torching a corpse-filled Mercedes, he takes time out to call his florist. Lecter Hannibal, anyone?
The film is deliciously subtle and yet suspenseful enough to hold your attention for its entire duration. It's a pretty decent rental.
Movie Review: Malkovich IS real Ripley
Summary: 4 Stars
I think Malkovich captures more accurately the character created by Patricia Highsmith than Damon does. In "Ripley's Game" we see a more perverse and tactician criminal, very near of what Highsmith describes in her novels.I also am grateful to see this film brought to the end of the 20th Century, plenty of mobile phones, terrific Alfa Romeo cars and modern costume design. The story per se doesn't have significant changes and the film is perfectly set out in another time. In "Talented Mr. Ripley" the story goes back to the 50's or 60's, that is, the time Ms. Highsmith wrote the Ripley's series.
The rest of characters are really interesting. Dougray Scott has an ascending role and not only has he got more presence in the film as it goes on, but this presence is more convincing little by little. Good job.
Another good thing is that you don't have to see the first part to enjoy completely this "Ripley's Game". Very recommendable.