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Ever wonder why it is that some directors over indulged themselves and release reeeeeeeally long movies that in truth could have had a snip and tuck here and there, upping the pace and releasing not just a good movie, but a great one?   Granted some movies suit the 2 1/2 hour plus time frame and even manage to keep the pace up (braveheart and pulp fiction are two that work well even at these extreme lengths).
Anthony Minghella is one such writer/director (actually it's usually the writer/director combo this happens with ya know :) who seems to like to take on the 2hour plus film, all in the name of character and plot development, and yes he does a great job at that looking at his past efforts, but could still do with a tweak here and there!.  (besides allowing more free space for all those DVD extras would be a nice gesture!!  :)

Running well over the 2 hour mark, Anthony Minghella's latest semi-epic is The Talented Mr Ripley, starring one of Miramax's wonderboys, Matt Damon, in the lead role of said Tom Ripley.  Tom is able to quickly adapt to any given environment and take on any role that he chooses.  He can mimic anyone, having only been in contact with them for a brief time, and is incredibly intelligent to boot.  
After filling in at a piano recital, and being mistaken for someone else, Tom heads off to Europe, at the request of Millionaire Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn) in search of his son Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law).  Greenleaf is hoping that Tom can get Dickie back to the good 'ol USA, instead of having him gallivant around Europe with his girlfriend Marge (Miramax's golden girl Gwenyth Paltrow). 
Upon arriving in Rome, Tom is instantly seduced by the life that Dickie lives and simply doesn't want to leave.  Unfortunately Tom develops an attraction to Dickie and his life (one of the film's homoerotic undertones) and is living the high life with them.
While both dickie and Marge are very fond of Tom (for the time being) Dickie's best friend Freddie (Philip Seymour Hoffman) sees past Tom's current persona and well yes, saying anymore would giving too much away me thinks :)
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, Minghella as sole writer has taken the liberty of adding another character in the form of Meridith Louge (Cate Blanchette) who Tom initially meets on the cruise ship over to Italy. Meridith is also something of a loner, and she and Tom quickly form something of a bond, and at this time he tells her HE is Dickie Greenleaf.  This of course results in Meridith being the films catalyst for several of the key sequences that follow.  Having not read the book I have to wonder how much has been changed in order to accommodate for this great, if not under used character. (given the situation I can't see how this could have been any other way though)

So How Does This Transfer Hold Up?

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VIDEO
Roadshow act as the Australian Distributor for Miramax Films, and this is another Anamorphic Widescreen transfer sourced from said party (though the DVD itself was authored in OZ, as are most of their DVDs) and it ain't perfect, but it's not too bad just the same.
The main problem is a lack of shadow detail from a black level that just isn't quite right.  People's clothing is a good example, as you can't see any real detail in darker clothing (ie wrinkles and movement don't show up all that well).
Image detail is 'somewhat' high, if a bit forced, and it actually comes across with a slight haziness.
Colour saturation is somewhat intense and this remains consistent throughout. While this does suit the film quite nicely, it can on occasions make fleshtones look a bit unnatural.
Being a 2 hour plus movie and with a fair amount of extras, this DVD's content is spread of two layers of an RSDL Disc.  The Layer change occurs at 82:46 and is quite well placed just as the decapitated head stops moving (it's not QUITE what is seems folks :)

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AUDIO
Available in both a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix and Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, the 5.1 mix has the advantage of the nice wide front soundstage.   Ripley doesn't rate overly high on the WOW factor, but offers a pretty good music track of Gabriel Yared's beautiful music and some great 50's music treats.  
Dialogue was always clear and intelligible and was far from annoying in the Audio Sync Department. 
The opening sequence during the very snazzy overlaying credits of piano and vocalist was beautifully captured, as was the jazz numbers in the club. 
You won't find much in terms of LFE activity other than during the Dolby Trailer, but a film of this nature refrains from offering too many big action explosions.  Overall a lovely soundtrack to compliment this film, albeit one that is 5.1 impaired.

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EXTRAS
Roadshow have slowly but surely shown great improvement with their DVD Menu looks and have more often tried to incorporate music and motion.  Ripley offers both, and these menus work very well with the movie itself.  It's good to see someone having some fun with DVD menus rather than those crap static ones with god awful symbolised icons!   :)

Headlining the real extras (all of which are Anamorphic Widescreen), is a audio commentary from Director Minghella.  Though we're talking quite a long film, there are very few moments of silence, and he makes a lot of interesting observations, and offers a get deal of insight into the how what when where and why of this film.   Worth a listen.

Inside the Talented Mr Ripley is the Featurette screened earlier this year on Channel 7 (in Australia) and is your Typical 1/2 hour TV slotted making of.   not too bad.

...and what could have been more interesting if giving a decent running time is the "Making the Soundtrack" Featurette (runs only 8 minutes this one)

Two Music videos, in which Matt Damon and Jude Law lend their vocal talents (or at least try to :) My Funny Valentine, and Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano

Cast and Crew Bios

A Theatrical Trailer and the Dolby Digital Egypt Trailer round off the extras.


Ripley isn't a half bad movie, though could have been presented to us with a better video image (the USA version is apparently no better in this department...I think Miramax need a new telecinist!!  :)

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver/Decoder: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: Quadral Phonolgue Gold Amun
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: B&W 602
     Subby: M&K V125 

- Reviewed 10th December 2000

* The Talented Mr Ripley jpeg files for internet promotion use only. Copyright© exists on all aspects of these files. Any reproduction of these files in whole or part has to be given authorisation from Village Roadshow.