This 1960 version of The Talented Mr Ripley sticks closer to Patricia
Highsmith's original novel than Anthony Minghella's film in its
depiction of Ripley himself, but departs from it more in plot terms and
particularly in its very deft twist ending. Alain Delon, one of the most
preternaturally handsome actors in the cinema, portrays a character
much more calculating than Matt Damon's, and does so with feline
stealth and assurance. The naturalistic photography and Nino Rota's
marvellous score lend the film a classically relaxed atmosphere which
is offset by the businesslike suspense of its murder sequences.
