Ripley's Game (2002)

A dying family man in need of money is persuaded to assassinate a European crime boss.

Director:

Liliana Cavani

Writers:

Charles McKeown, Liliana Cavani

Stars:

John Malkovich, Dougray Scott, Lena Headey

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Winstone	...	Reeves
John Malkovich	...	Tom Ripley
Uwe Mansshardt	...	Terry
Hanns Zischler	...	Art Dealer
Paolo Paoloni	...	Franco
Maurizio Lucà	...	Franco's Assistant
Dougray Scott	...	Jonathan Trevanny
Evelina Meghnagi	...	Maria
Chiara Caselli	...	Luisa Harari
Lena Headey	...	Sarah Trevanny
Sam Blitz	...	Matthew Trevanny
Emidio La Vella	...	Shoe Shop Owner (as Emidio Lavella)
Lutz Winde	...	Ernst
Nikolaus Dutsch	...	Dr. Wentzel (as Nikolaus Deutsch)
Wilfried Zander	...	Belinsky

Storyline

Tom Ripley - cool, urbane, wealthy, and murderous - lives in a villa in the Veneto with Luisa, his harpsichord-playing girlfriend. A former business associate from Berlin's underworld pays a call asking Ripley's help in killing a rival. Ripley - ever a student of human nature - initiates a game to turn a mild and innocent local picture framer into a hit man. The artisan, Jonathan Trevanny, who's dying of cancer, has a wife, young son, and little to leave them. If Ripley draws Jonathan into the game, can Ripley maintain control? Does it stop at one killing? What if Ripley develops a conscience? Luisa prepares for her concert.

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Plot Keywords:

villa | villain played by lead actor | art forgery | based on novel | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

The talented Mr Ripley is back. Older. Wiser. More dangerous

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language, some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line Features [United States]

Country:

UK Italy USA

Language:

English German Italian

Release Date:

7 February 2003 (Italy)

Also Known As:

El amigo americano

Filming Locations:

Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

€210,408 (Italy), 9 February 2003, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Baby Films, Cattleya, Mr. Mudd

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

When Trevanny and Reeves first meet in the hotel, Trevanny's cigar changes orientation, between shots.

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Quotes

Reeves: It's him. Now he usually wears those 'orrible gold rimmed glasses and a great big fuck off Russian furry hat. You know, they had to kill three bears to make that.

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Connections

Version of The American Friend (1977)

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Soundtracks

Animal Cannabus
Composed by Colin MacIntyre
(c) Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
By kind permission of Warner/Chappell Music Ltd.
Performed by Mull Historical Society
Courtesy of Warner Strategic Marketing UK

User Reviews

Enjoyable but no match for "The American Friend"

Malkovich is great - but that's no surprise. He always is. The rest of the cast pales somewhat in comparison. I liked the aestheticised atmosphere and the beauty and elegance of the Italian locations.

Wim Wenders of all people made a better version in 1977. In that version Dennis Hopper is perfect as Ripley.

You have to decide who like you best as Ripley. My opinion: anyone but Matt Damon. I also liked Alain Delon in "Plein Soleil" in the French 1960-production. And of course: Make sure to read the brilliant novel these movies are based on.