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Ripley - starts today on Netflix. Anyone fancy a discussion thread?

261 replies

Netaporter · 04/04/2024 08:55

Based upon the book ‘The talented mr ripley’ by Patricia Highsmith Andrew Scott stars in this adaptation. It is filmed in B&W so interested to see how this differs from the glorious film starring Gwyneth, Jude and Matt Damon.

Going to start episode 1 later this morning.

OP posts:
MuscariFan · 09/04/2024 08:21

echt · 08/04/2024 23:27

I re-watched TTMR last night and was newly amazed by what a thoroughly repugnant, shallow human being Dickie is. Top acting Mr Law. Everyone is so very good and its approach is so different that comparing the latest, while inevitable, is pointless for me.

Both are excellent in their own ways.

I did the same, just went back to the glorious film instead of slogging on with Ripley. 😆

BobnLen · 09/04/2024 08:28

I bet the film will have a resurgence on Netflix, I saw it when it came out which was about 25 years ago so will rewatch it when I have finished the series.

NashvilleQueen · 09/04/2024 08:30

Freddie seems like a real misstep with the casting. The 2020s gender bending just rips you right out of the story. Philip Seymour Hoffman's Freddie was just perfect - completely vile and untouchable (until he wasn't).

I read a quote on Twitter that the director said Eliot Sumner was the only person to audition for the role who didn't do a PSH impersonation. And given no one could come close to the original then there's sense in making it totally different.

I suspect a lot of the preference comes down to whether you fancy Jude Law (I don't) or Andrew Scott (I do).

curiositykilledthiscat · 09/04/2024 08:38

I read a quote on Twitter that the director said Eliot Sumner was the only person to audition for the role who didn't do a PSH impersonation. And given no one could come close to the original then there's sense in making it totally different.

That sounds convenient. It’s not like there’s a shortage of talented young actors out there. Still, the casting makes good P.R and ticks a box.

IfYouSawwhatISee · 09/04/2024 10:32

Sorry if it's been mentioned but what breed is the cat in Rome

choirmumoftwo · 09/04/2024 10:46

Someone said earlier it's a Maine Coon. I loved it!

IcedPurple · 09/04/2024 11:00

curiositykilledthiscat · 09/04/2024 08:38

I read a quote on Twitter that the director said Eliot Sumner was the only person to audition for the role who didn't do a PSH impersonation. And given no one could come close to the original then there's sense in making it totally different.

That sounds convenient. It’s not like there’s a shortage of talented young actors out there. Still, the casting makes good P.R and ticks a box.

Yes. I'm rolling my eyes at this too.

Really terrible casting.

Seymour Hoffman's Freddie was the classic 'ugly American'. Loud, brash and obnoxious. But Freddie wasn't all bad. He was wise to Tom from the very start and was a loyal friend to Dicky. This Freddie is just drab and dull. I was so happy when all their scenes were over.

IfYouSawwhatISee · 09/04/2024 12:36

Thanks

IcedPurple · 09/04/2024 12:53

ApolloandDaphne · 08/04/2024 21:45

DH and I have just finished it. I loved it all and now i want to go to Italy. Black and white, 60's Italy.

I re-watched the film a few months ago in advance of a trip to Southern Italy.

Everywhere seemed so wonderfully unspoiled and free of tourists compared to now. Of course, I'm one of those tourists contributing to the overcrowding too! International travel has been democratised, which is mostly a good thing. But Italy must have been amazing for the rich in those days. You'd have it all to yourself.

The Italy of the Minghella film was glorious. Minghella was of Italian origin himself, which may have influenced his treatment of the subject. It's a bit cold and sinister in this adaptation however. It wouldn't really want to make me step back in time and visit.

GrimDamnFanjo · 09/04/2024 12:57

User478 · 07/04/2024 20:52

I've finished it, the last few episodes had a bit of a self conscious Wes Anderson feel.

I don't think it told the story any better than the film, despite having 5 3/4 hours more to play with.

I felt that extra time was used for the aftermath of each murder!!!

GrimDamnFanjo · 09/04/2024 13:02

NashvilleQueen · 09/04/2024 08:30

Freddie seems like a real misstep with the casting. The 2020s gender bending just rips you right out of the story. Philip Seymour Hoffman's Freddie was just perfect - completely vile and untouchable (until he wasn't).

I read a quote on Twitter that the director said Eliot Sumner was the only person to audition for the role who didn't do a PSH impersonation. And given no one could come close to the original then there's sense in making it totally different.

I suspect a lot of the preference comes down to whether you fancy Jude Law (I don't) or Andrew Scott (I do).

I tend to agree. But why not reallly go to town with the recast?
I'd have loved a flamboyant Freddie , amusing, boastful with the high life and good times. You didn't get the sense any "debauchery" was remotely possible with this version.
I'd not be tempted to spend Xmas with them either!

decionsdecisions62 · 09/04/2024 13:48

The Talented Mr Ripley. A Miramax classic. Funded on the back of female rape. We should boycott on that basis alone!

dayswithaY · 09/04/2024 15:25

Or call out the two faced actors who all cosied up to him.

decionsdecisions62 · 09/04/2024 16:13

Wasn't there some rumour that Matt Damon had protected him?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-41581564.amp

Plus Gwyneth used her Brad Pitt connection to prevent hassle but knowingly kept quiet about assaults on other actresses.

RubyTuesday10 · 09/04/2024 23:00

Struggling with this adaptation to be honest. I like Johnny Flynn but not so much in this - Dickie Greenleaf needs to be far more charismatic in sharp contrast to Ripley. The murder scene, which should be shocking, was frankly dull. No chemistry or tension between the characters, all feels a bit flat. I think Andrew Scott plays him well but doesn’t mask his sinister side at any point so it feels implausible that Dickie would keep him around. The black and white makes it a bit too heavy and oppressive.

curiositykilledthiscat · 09/04/2024 23:11

Plus Gwyneth used her Brad Pitt connection to prevent hassle but knowingly kept quiet about assaults on other actresses.

No, you don’t know what she knew. But she was sexually harassed by him in 1995 and it must have been hard for her having him involved a few years later in T.T.M.R. Have some empathy.

NeedToKnow101 · 10/04/2024 07:56

The last few episodes are much better. I agree that the Italian actors were brilliant, so quirky and funny. The cat was bang on.

Still feel cheated that it was in B&W. Understand the reasoning but it didn't work.

mazylou · 10/04/2024 09:59

There's one tiny flash of colour. Or else it's suggested so well, you're tricked into it.

Stumpedasatree · 10/04/2024 10:36

I'm a few episodes in. Ripley and Dickie are too old, and for me, unlike in the movie, the characters just seem so dry and dull. I just can't see the appeal of Tom to Dickie - there was no friendship particularly between them so why they even spent any time together didn't make sense.

Stumpedasatree · 10/04/2024 10:37

RubyTuesday10 · 09/04/2024 23:00

Struggling with this adaptation to be honest. I like Johnny Flynn but not so much in this - Dickie Greenleaf needs to be far more charismatic in sharp contrast to Ripley. The murder scene, which should be shocking, was frankly dull. No chemistry or tension between the characters, all feels a bit flat. I think Andrew Scott plays him well but doesn’t mask his sinister side at any point so it feels implausible that Dickie would keep him around. The black and white makes it a bit too heavy and oppressive.

Yep - 100% agree with you @RubyTuesday10

GreatGateauxsby · 10/04/2024 10:47

deeply disappointing
I gave up halfway through episode 1…
It was just dull as dish water

And they are all just way too old…even Dakota fanning.

They were all poorly cast but especially Dickie.
Jude law I don’t particularly like but he was a fantastic Dickie… this one just didn’t cut the mustard at all.

RobinBobbin · 10/04/2024 18:19

Once I'd adjusted the brightness on my TV the B&W was tolerable.

Agree that the relationships seemed implausible but loved the Italian actors especially the hotel clerks.

But then I watched the Matt Damon version again and it seemed to make much more sense, and the ending is so sad.

Room for both interpretations, is my verdict.

Heliss · 10/04/2024 19:05

mazylou · 10/04/2024 09:59

There's one tiny flash of colour. Or else it's suggested so well, you're tricked into it.

I just saw that scene.

Heliss · 10/04/2024 19:09

It took me until episode 4 to get into it, I just had it on the background until then as it wasn't grabbing me. On episode 6 now.

Thoughts on it - really dislike the black and white, I love Andrew Scott and don't care that he's too old for it, and the casting of Freddie was just ridiculously distracting as I kept trying t work out if Freddie was supposed to be a lesbian, or if they had shoehorned a woman into playing a man.

I'll watch the film afterwards, I saw it a long, long time ago so can't compare it too well.

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 10/04/2024 19:27

We started last night. It makes Italy look miserable as fuck. Andrew Scott, as much as I love him, is not Tom Ripley. And as for Freddie... the quote “he’s lying to you” was greeted by dh saying “that’s cos she’s a fucking woman.” They could have written it cleverly and not mentioned her pronouns in conversation and then there would be no dissonance.