As Episode 1 of "Ripley" (2024 release; 8 episodes ranging from 44 to 76 min) opens, it is "Rome, 1961" and we see Ripley dragging a dead body down the stairs. We then go to "Six Months Earlier", with Ripley living in New York and barely getting by. Then one day he gets contacted by a shipbuilder on Long Island, whose son has disappeared somewhere in Italy, and would Ripley want to find him and convince him to return to New York... At this point we are 10 minutes of Episode 1.
Couple of comments: this is written, produces and directed by Steve Zaillian, whose script for Schindler's List won an Oscar. Here Zaiilian revisits Patricia Highsmith's books on the conman that was Tom Ripley. Like many of you, I watched the 1999 movie starring Matt Damon, and quite liked it. But let me state right away that there is zero doubt in my mind that this 2024 mini-series is superior to the 1999 movie. For one, the script for this mini-series is very strong. It may bother some people that this is slow-paced. I for one am very grateful for that, as we get to see the characters fully develop before our eyes. It also apparently bothers some that the mini-series in shot entirely in B&W. I happen to think this works very well, considering the setting (early 60s). (As an aside, Zaillian has stated that the cover of a Ripley book he read had a B&W photo which inspired him to shoot the series in B&W.) Last and certainly not least, the production sets are exquisite (look at all of the details). And quite helpful is the very strong cast, including Andrew Scott as Ripley, Johnny Flynn as Dickie, and an unrecognizable Dakota Fanning as Marge.
"Ripley" started streaming on Netflix last weekend, and I watched it spread over 3 evenings. The mini-series is currently rated 85% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and that sounds about right to me. If you have any interest in the Ripley character or are simply in the mood for an engaging mini-series about a conman, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this is written, produces and directed by Steve Zaillian, whose script for Schindler's List won an Oscar. Here Zaiilian revisits Patricia Highsmith's books on the conman that was Tom Ripley. Like many of you, I watched the 1999 movie starring Matt Damon, and quite liked it. But let me state right away that there is zero doubt in my mind that this 2024 mini-series is superior to the 1999 movie. For one, the script for this mini-series is very strong. It may bother some people that this is slow-paced. I for one am very grateful for that, as we get to see the characters fully develop before our eyes. It also apparently bothers some that the mini-series in shot entirely in B&W. I happen to think this works very well, considering the setting (early 60s). (As an aside, Zaillian has stated that the cover of a Ripley book he read had a B&W photo which inspired him to shoot the series in B&W.) Last and certainly not least, the production sets are exquisite (look at all of the details). And quite helpful is the very strong cast, including Andrew Scott as Ripley, Johnny Flynn as Dickie, and an unrecognizable Dakota Fanning as Marge.
"Ripley" started streaming on Netflix last weekend, and I watched it spread over 3 evenings. The mini-series is currently rated 85% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and that sounds about right to me. If you have any interest in the Ripley character or are simply in the mood for an engaging mini-series about a conman, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.