Text Analysis “The Talented Mr Ripley”
The Talented Mr Ripley directed by Anthony Minghella is a movie about the life of Tom Ripley, an outcast who is motivated by the need to fit in. Through the use of film techniques such as cinematography, mise-en-scene, juxtaposition and symbolism Minghella positions the audience to understand and sympathise with Ripley, without endorsing his unacceptable actions.
Through the use of cinematography Minghella directs the audience to empathise with Ripley because of his role as an outsider. Ripley’s need to fit in is shown in the scene where he is working at the recital. The camera shows Ripley pulling back the curtain and peering into a world where he doesn’t belong. By lingering on a close up of Ripley face the audience clearly sees Ripley’s longing to be accepted into the upper class. The fact that Ripley won’t be accepted is presented through Minghella’s camera work which shows the audience an upper class lady looking disapprovingly at someone of Ripley class daring to look into their world. This is further emphasised in the next scene where the audience sees Ripley removed from the stage despite his clear musical talent. Minghella also uses mise-en-scene to demonstrate Ripley’s position as an outcast. When Ripley first arrives in Italy his pale white skin and his scrawny build are in stark contrast to the bronzed and muscular men that surround him. Furthermore he stands out because of his fluorescent yellow bathers which are mocked by the locals. It is because the audience can understand what it is like to want to a different life and more importantly the desire to fit in, that the audience is able to empathise with Ripley which ensures our interest in his wellbeing.
Through Minghella juxtaposing the personalities of Ripley and Dickie, an arrogant “unbearably hansom”, womanizer, it positions the audience to further empathise with Ripley. Dickie Greenleaf is a wealthy upper class man who has never had to work a day in his life thanks to his extremely wealthy father. As Dickie says “My father builds boats I sail them”. It’s quite clear that Dickie has never had trouble fitting in, he’s very attractive, charming and everyone wants to be a part of his life. This is in contrast to Ripley’s life, as he has had to work hard for everything he has and will never be accepted for who he is. In order to comprehend as to what drives Ripley to perform so many immoral acts, such as murder, forgery and treachery it is important that the audience must first understand the cause of his irrationality. By Mighella making Ripley a total outcast who is not accepted in society allows the audience to empathize and understand Ripley’s irrational choices. This is apparent in the scene where Ripley and Dickie are out on the boat, they’re both content and the mood is calm. The music goes from being calm to quite aggressive showing that the mood has changed as Dickie hurls abuse at Tom, “You can be a leech, and it’s boring. You can be quite boring.” After the argument continues and after Dickie questions Ripley’s masculinity, he finally can’t take it anymore and swings an oar smashing Dickie over the head multiple times, killing him. Ripley, now feeling extremely hurt by Dickie, embraces the lifeless body showing he’s warped affection towards Dickie. Listening to the hurtful things Dickie said to Ripley as Minghella zooms the camera in on Ripley’s face, showing the hurt in his eyes, allows the audience to empathise with Ripley and understand his trauma at being rejected by Dickie. As a result we can understand his murderous actions without condoning them.

Despite our interest in Ripley through the use of contrast and symbolism, Minghella clearly demonstrates that Ripley’s murderous actions are not endorsed. Although Minghella wants the audience to empathise with Ripley, it’s quite clear that he is not suggesting Ripley’s ruthless actions are acceptable. The brutality of the murders are contrasted with the beauty of the scenery which they take place. With the murder scene taking place on a serene peaceful day on the crystal blue sea, and in a house that is decorated with cheerful Christmas decor emphasises the brutality of the murders. Even though Ripley has committed these crimes to gain wealth and to be living the life of the very popular Dickie Greenleaf, he is still yet an outcast. This is shown in the scene where Ripley is all alone and has no friends or family to spend Christmas with. Symbolism shows that whatever horrendous act Ripley may commit he ends up just as alone as he was before. The last scene shows Ripley as if he is trapped in a basement, Ripley refers to the basement earlier in the movie as “dark and ugly and there are demons” and how he want to be able to “fling the door open and let the light in and clean everything out”. The basement is symbolic of Ripley’s life and how he feels trapped because of all the horrific things he has done and all the lies he has told, which again indicates that regardless of the sympathy and feelings that the audience had for Ripley, the actions that Ripley took were actually wrong. The fact that Ripley, despite his freedom will forever remain trapped by his guilt and self-loathing is empathised by the final shot as the audience sees Ripley trapped in the darkness as a door closes on him and the screen fades to black.
Despite the fact Minghella wants the audience to have a sense of empathy and understanding for the character Tom Ripley, he still clearly demonstrates that Ripley’s actions are irrational. Through various film techniques Minghella creates a connection that enables the audience to feel and empathise with Tom without endorsing his warped philosophy. Through the symbolism of the basement we understand that despite his freedom Ripley will always be trapped with his guilt and feelings of self-loathing and as a result Minghella makes it clear that it is not “better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody.”