Ripley's Game

Ripley's Game

source: Ripley's Game

RIPLEY'S GAME (3+ outta 5 stars) Not actually a direct sequel to "The Talented Mr. Ripley"... this film is based on the third book in the Ripley series by Patricia Highsmith. (Dang... they have filmed the first and third books TWICE EACH... and they STILL haven't done the second book even once?) This time around Ripley is played, quite menacingly, by John Malkovich. Long after the events of the first book, he is living comfortably in Europe and engaging in little odd jobs of forgery, robbery and murder to maintain the upkeep on his fancy estate. After being insulted by a new neighbor and approached by a threatening ex-partner to do a murder that he really doesn't want to do... Ripley concocts an elaborate game of revenge whereby he will turn his neighbor into a conscienceless killer somewhat like himself. Unfortunately, to his consternation, Ripley finds that a conscience is something that one either has or doesn't have... it can't become lost. I'd really like to see Malkovich do more in the Ripley series... maybe after his movie career is over he'd contemplate a series of made-for-cable movies? (Since the producers wouldn't even release this movie to theatres in the first place!)

I think the book must be better than the movie. Perhaps it was the plot as we were never made to understand what really goes on inside Tom Ripley's head. Why he's playing the game he plays. We are never made to fully comprehend why he helps the poor Jonathan. Missing details abound in this Italy based movie; I've been in Italy enough to know that people don't speak English there as well as they did in this movie especially in a small town. We know why Tom Ripley lives there but how did an English bloke get flung out there together with his English wife? I love Dougray Scott but I'm getting tired of seeing him play the tortured miserable wandering soul (Enigma). He seemed more convincing in MI2. Anyways, this movie is not all that bad but there were a lot of things missing which, to the oblivious, may not seem so important but which to a movie faithful like me, seems rather annoying. It wasn't wasted as John Malkovich was a delight to watch, as always.

I'm amazed how many people on IMDb gave this film such good reviews. It completely lost me in the first scene where Tom Ripley is making the bogus deal with another dodgy art dealer and kills his bodyguard in very unconvincing form. Everything from how the film looks (choice of film stock) to the boring cinematography, choreography, hammy performances, and writing tells me I'm in for ... well, a bad film. And that's exactly what it is, folks!! Where this movie really lost me is when I discover Tom Ripley talking on a cell phone. Okay. That must mean it is set around the time the movie was made (early 2000's). If this is the same character as the Matt Damon one from The Talented Mr. Ripley which was set in the 1950's, that would make Tom Ripley in his 60's, at least!! I'm sorry, but Malcovich does not look like he's in his 60's. (Even though Malcovich has been sporting the old man haircut probably since he was three, this just doesn't cut it) And my apologies for my lack of knowledge on this Ripley character because I have never read the series, but isn't he supposed to be gay? That was certainly what The Talented Mr Ripley suggested. What I assume is that he's bi-sexual and that many years later he's decided to shack up with a much younger Italian woman who loves it from behind ... Pathetic!

"Ripley's Game" tells a sloppy tale involving a bunch of people running around trying to kill each other. Beginning to end, this flick is a mess of plot holes, nonsequiturs, and goofs. EXAMPLE: The abysmal story has a fat guy trying to coerce an ordinary guy and family man into killing another guy by telling him that if he doesn't kill the guy, he'll have his family killed. Of course, that begs the questions, how is he going to get anyone to kill the family if he can't even get this guy to kill the other guy? Duh! EXAMPLE: Malcovich is preparing for an assault on his estate. He has a shot gun and then a pistol and by the time the bad guys break in he's down to a crescent wrench. Jeeez Louise! EXAMPLE: A guy is shot point blank in the side of his head...and only loses part of an ear. Hello! "Ripley's Game" has a good cast and good locations. But, what a stupid story. Believe it or not. (C+)

source: Ripley's Game

I must admit I enjoyed Matt Damon and company very much in The Talented Mr.Ripley. The character of Tom Ripley is thoroughly dislikable but also intriguing. Therefore when I realised that another Ripley film had been made I was curious to enjoy the earlier experience again. I was not disappointed either. John Malkovich who I usually do not like as a performer was totally creepy and perfect as an older Ripley. Up against him was the very talented Dougray Scott as his unlikely accomplice in murder, Jonathon Trevanny. There are grisly murders galore in this film of revolting Russian mafia murderers. The ending is great. I won't give it away as it would spoil it for others. The Italian and German settings are brilliant as are the train scenes. This film is very enjoyable.

What can I say about this movie? It is just a set of badly shot scenes, acting and dialogue, strung together in a completely idiotic way. The trailer of the movie is hundreds of times more exciting than the movie. In fact, just watch the trailer. The movie adds nothing more to it than boring, badly acted scenes that serve no purpose at al. names of italian food and painters, some nice italian landscapes. The plot is ridiculous and the motivations of the characters are implausible. Avoid. To go into some more detail. The main actor acts in his usual, semi-detached way. His cynic comments are the only worthwhile thing in this movie, if you find sarcasm funny. Others might find him idiotic. The relationships between the couples seems cold and distant, not because the couples are supposed to be cold and distant, but because the actors make a lousy job of it. The characterisation is lousy and the plot is full of holes, half-baked plot-devices and absurdities. Give it a miss.

Malkovich is great - but that's no surprise. He always is. The rest of the cast pales somewhat in comparison. I liked the aestheticised atmosphere and the beauty and elegance of the Italian locations. Wim Wenders of all people made a better version in 1977. In that version Dennis Hopper is perfect as Ripley. You have to decide who like you best as Ripley. My opinion: anyone but Matt Damon. I also liked Alain Delon in "Plein Soleil" in the French 1960-production. And of course: Make sure to read the brilliant novel these movies are based on.