The story of a poor homosexual, Tom Ripley, who goes to Italy and falls in love with Dickie, a straight man that everyone loves. Dickie and Tom become friends of a sort but Dickie soon grows tired of Tom and breaks off the friendship. Tom is so taken with being near Dickie and his ever-vacationing lifestyle that he kills Dickie during a confrontation where they each reveal their true feelings for each other.
The murders in this film are the only part that gives reason to ponder. The first one is played almost as an accident. Dickie insults the fragile ego of Tom and he hits him with an oar. I came away from that scene strangely feeling sorry for Tom. His heart was in the right place and until that scene occurred his character's only flaw is that of taking advantage of a good thing. Dickie was the rude antagonist in that scene, and he is filled with selfish flaws. The other murders are to protect Tom's identity and cover his trail. So when did he become psychotic? The murder of Dickie? Was he always a nutcase? The movie really doesn't answer that question.
Perhaps we are to believe that these events are a series of stops on the way to psycho city?
The cast of Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, and Jude Law are great. Jude Law steals every scene he's in. He gives his character of Dickie all the charm and snobbery it needs to make you like him, then despise him. Matt Damon has found his niche. He plays low self-esteem characters well, as seen here and in Good Will Hunting.
