Ripley’s Game (2002)
I’m not sure what the story is behind this movie. It didn’t get a wide theatrical release in North America, and it didn’t make very much money. Its budget is a fraction of its predecessor’s, The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), and Matt Damon is nowhere to be found. All that being as it is, Ripley’s Game is a substantially superior product: the film is more coherent, more entertaining, more thought-provoking, and John Malkovich’s performance is far more Oscar-worthy than Matt Damon’s.
Yes, John Malkovich plays this character expertly. He is both charismatic and emotionless, a tough combination to pull off convincingly. Tom Ripley is the character Malkovich was destined to play: Ripley is a perfect fit for Malkovich’s quirky mannerisms, dry sarcasm, and peculiar face. I almost laughed when I watched Ripley introduced in the film wearing a French beret, but then Malkovich opened his mouth and I said, “Yeah, okay.” Ripley is an odd character, one whose primary joy in life is manipulating others. He gets no true satisfaction from the affluent lifestyle he strives to maintain. Food bores him, and he has questionable taste in art. Yet he maintains his image so meticulously, allowing him to go about his games. When the film opens, Ripley is trying to scam an art buyer out of more money than the sketches are worth. He leaves the meeting with both the art and the money, but he gives the money away. So why would he take such great risks? Ripley partially addresses this question later when asked if he feels anxious after a crime. He replies, “I don't worry about being caught as I don't believe anyone is watching.” He is clearly psychotic, but he has a rationale for everything he does, and the only joy he ever feels is watching others be troubled by emotions he himself cannot feel.
Although this is a Ripley film, the lead character is Jonathan Trevanny, played by Dougray Scott. Scott also does a fantastic job here, as the innocent man, dying of cancer, who is manipulated by Ripley after Trevanny offends him at a party. The game played between these two and a third character, Reeves (Ray Winstone), leads to some really breathtaking suspense sequences. The highlight is a crime-gone-wrong onboard a speed train. This is a splendid sequence, filled with tension, black humor, and expert direction. Watching great scenes like this only furthers the contention that this film should have been given a chance in North American theaters.
Although this is a Ripley film, the lead character is Jonathan Trevanny, played by Dougray Scott. Scott also does a fantastic job here, as the innocent man, dying of cancer, who is manipulated by Ripley after Trevanny offends him at a party. The game played between these two and a third character, Reeves (Ray Winstone), leads to some really breathtaking suspense sequences. The highlight is a crime-gone-wrong onboard a speed train. This is a splendid sequence, filled with tension, black humor, and expert direction. Watching great scenes like this only furthers the contention that this film should have been given a chance in North American theaters.
The final verdict: Ripley is the role John Malkovich was born to play. The actor and his presence are just weird enough to make Ripley a believable character, like Christian Bale was to Patrick Bateman. I was a little confused when Matt Damon tried on the role. Thankfully, he is nowhere to be found in Ripley’s Game, and we don’t miss him for a second.
Professor P
No comments:
Post a Comment