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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Dual layer layer switch at 1:21:03 
     (Chapter 17)

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 138 minutes

- Subtitles: English, French

- Scene selection: Static menu

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen

Audio Features:

- English: Dolby Digital 5.1, and
     Dolby Digital Surround

- French: Dolby Digital Surround

Bonus Materials:

- Trailers (2): teaser and theatrical

- Cast & crew interviews

- "Inside The Talented Mr. Ripley" 
     featurette

- "Making of the soundtrack" featurette

- Director audio commentary

- Music videos (2)

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:      Dec 1999

DVD Release:              06/27/00

Review Date:               07/08/00

List price:                     $ 30.00

Avg. on-line price:       $ 21.00

Pre-order price was:    $ 18.00

Starring: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow,
     Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jack 
     Davenport, and James Rebhorn

Director: Anthony Minghella

MPAA Rating: R

Studio: Paramount Pictures (Miramax Films)

Movie: B+        Video: A        Audio: A        Extras: B+

Summary: The Talented Mr. Ripley is a spell-binding thriller, based on the novel by 
   Patricia Highsmith.  Director Anthony Minghella succeeds in his efforts to portray 
   this story on film, particularly with the acting talents of Matt Damon, Jude Law, 
   Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.  For a regular, non-special 
   edition DVD, it has quite a few extra features.  However, considering its price, 
   we found it falling a little short of our expectations.

The Story

The Oscar-award winning director Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) directs this spell-binding thriller about Tom Ripley (Matt Damon).  Living in poor circumstances in New York City, Ripley takes on odd jobs (from a pianist to a men's room attendant) to make his way.  Mr. Hebert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn), a wealthy shipbuilder, mistakenly takes Ripley for a Yale student and makes him an offer to find his son, Dickie (Jude Law), in Italy and bring him back to the United States.  Ripley accepts the generous offer and immediately sets off to Italy.  No later than his arrival on the shores of Italy does Ripley begin to impersonate Dickie.  As he befriends Dickie and his would-be fiancée, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow), he begins to study Dickie's moves, gestures, voice, and taste in jazz and the good life.  The story begins to weave into a sinister plot of deception when Dickie asks what is the one talent Tom has.  Tom replies naming three talents.  "Nobody should have more than one talent".  Rather than give the complete story away, let's just say the following lines foretell the story:
- Ripley says, "I'd always thought it was better to be a fake somebody, than a real nobody."
- Separately Marge says, "Why is it when men play, they always play at killing each other."

So what are the talents of Mr. Ripley?  Well according to him, they include "forging signatures, telling lies, impersonating practically anybody."  Speaking of talents, the performances by Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman are all first rate.  But our hats go off to Matt Damon in his compelling portrayal of the sinister Tom Ripley.

The Extras

The DVD includes a teaser trailer, a theatrical trailer, cast and crew interviews, "Inside The Talented Mr. Ripley" featurette, a "making of the soundtrack" featurette, a director's audio commentary, and two music videos--"My Funny Valentine" and "Tu Vuo' Fa L'Americano".  We found the cast and crew interviews and the two featurettes informative.  However, they suffer from symptoms of self-promotion.  From these bonus features, director Anthony Minghella seems very personable and his excitement about his work really shines through.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphically enhanced widescreen DVD is beautiful and true to the beautiful and exotic Italy locations.  The colors are vibrant and saturated.  The digital surround sound plays tribute to the wonderful soundtrack, consisting of classical music, opera, and late 1950's jazz.

Recommendation

This is a riveting thriller about one person wanting to live the lifestyle of another.  The compelling story keeps the audience wondering what will happen next.  The DVD contains plenty of extra material for a regular, non-special edition version, but considering the price, we were hoping for a few more extra features.

Buy "The Talented Mr. Ripley" DVD at:

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BigStar.com

Rent it at NetFlix.com (Sign up for NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service 
                                           for only $19.95 per month, click here for details)
 

Visit The Talented Mr. Ripley web site.

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E-mail: Editor@TimeForDVD.com

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