My Review- Ripley
Streaming on Netflix
My Rating 8/10
It's unusual for me to begin a review by praising the cinematographer but this 8 part series is a joy to watch from beginning to end it immediately reminded me of the work of the famous French photographer and film maker Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The Director and writer of this adaptation Steven Zaillian was inspired by a black and white photo on the cover of his edition of The Ripley novel by Patricia Highsmith .
It stayed on his mind and he thought his television adaptation would lend itself to the monochrome treatment and I think it was a great decision .
The cinematographer Robert Elswit shot all episodes with Arri Alexa LF digital cameras capturing amazing definition and depth .
Andrew Scott plays a more mature Tom Ripley than the previous actors that have played this character both Alain Delon and Matt Damon were in their mid twenties Andrew Scott was in his late forties when he filmed Ripley.
I think he gives a fascinating new take on the character far more darker and complex than the previous fine actors who interpreted the role Alain Delon in the French movie Plein soleil or Matt Damon in the 1999 movie The Talented Mr Ripley.
I wont say that Andrew Scott gives the definitive interpretation but it's certainly the most interesting his face is a canvas that constantly changes as he deceives, charms, murders when his evil deeds catch up with him . His portrayal of Tom Ripley is of a man with a thousand faces who feels a self entitlement and desire to possess the affluence and wealth of his victim Dickie Greenleaf played by Johnny Flynn.
Tom Ripley flees his fraudulent lifestyle in Manhattan when his schemes unravel landing in The Italian Riviera like a cuckoo in to the nest of Dickie Greenleaf the privileged son of a wealth Baron who commissions Tom to convince his artistic playboy son to return to the family fold back in America .
Tom Ripley not only has to convince Dickie Greenleaf that he knew him in America he also has to convince his suspicious girlfriend Marge Sherwood played by Dakota Fanning sister of Elle who really impressed me in this role what a talented family she belongs to.
Tom Ripley is a loner and even rehearses his deceptive dialogue to with himself as he plots his strategy to convince the various characters in Dickie Greenleaf's life especially his girlfriend Marge Sherwood that he is who he says he is as he gradually wins over the trust of Dickie Greenleaf.
I was less impressed with Johnny Flynn's casting as Dickie Greenleaf I thought he was dull and uninteresting but perhaps that's just what the director wanted ?
The series for me started off at a little slower pace then after a few instalments it really took off at a very thrilling speed that reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's style .
In fact the whole series I thought is a tribute to the famous film-noir movies of the post war 1950's period.
I looked up the definition of film noir which fits this series beautifully as a style of filmmaking characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.
Ripley is a well crafted series and very entertaining well worth a look in my opinion.
My Rating 8/10
It's unusual for me to begin a review by praising the cinematographer but this 8 part series is a joy to watch from beginning to end it immediately reminded me of the work of the famous French photographer and film maker Henri Cartier-Bresson.
The Director and writer of this adaptation Steven Zaillian was inspired by a black and white photo on the cover of his edition of The Ripley novel by Patricia Highsmith .
It stayed on his mind and he thought his television adaptation would lend itself to the monochrome treatment and I think it was a great decision .
The cinematographer Robert Elswit shot all episodes with Arri Alexa LF digital cameras capturing amazing definition and depth .
Andrew Scott plays a more mature Tom Ripley than the previous actors that have played this character both Alain Delon and Matt Damon were in their mid twenties Andrew Scott was in his late forties when he filmed Ripley.
I think he gives a fascinating new take on the character far more darker and complex than the previous fine actors who interpreted the role Alain Delon in the French movie Plein soleil or Matt Damon in the 1999 movie The Talented Mr Ripley.
I wont say that Andrew Scott gives the definitive interpretation but it's certainly the most interesting his face is a canvas that constantly changes as he deceives, charms, murders when his evil deeds catch up with him . His portrayal of Tom Ripley is of a man with a thousand faces who feels a self entitlement and desire to possess the affluence and wealth of his victim Dickie Greenleaf played by Johnny Flynn.
Tom Ripley flees his fraudulent lifestyle in Manhattan when his schemes unravel landing in The Italian Riviera like a cuckoo in to the nest of Dickie Greenleaf the privileged son of a wealth Baron who commissions Tom to convince his artistic playboy son to return to the family fold back in America .
Tom Ripley not only has to convince Dickie Greenleaf that he knew him in America he also has to convince his suspicious girlfriend Marge Sherwood played by Dakota Fanning sister of Elle who really impressed me in this role what a talented family she belongs to.
Tom Ripley is a loner and even rehearses his deceptive dialogue to with himself as he plots his strategy to convince the various characters in Dickie Greenleaf's life especially his girlfriend Marge Sherwood that he is who he says he is as he gradually wins over the trust of Dickie Greenleaf.
I was less impressed with Johnny Flynn's casting as Dickie Greenleaf I thought he was dull and uninteresting but perhaps that's just what the director wanted ?
The series for me started off at a little slower pace then after a few instalments it really took off at a very thrilling speed that reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's style .
In fact the whole series I thought is a tribute to the famous film-noir movies of the post war 1950's period.
I looked up the definition of film noir which fits this series beautifully as a style of filmmaking characterized by such elements as cynical heroes, stark lighting effects, frequent use of flashbacks, intricate plots, and an underlying existentialist philosophy.
Ripley is a well crafted series and very entertaining well worth a look in my opinion.