Everyone Forgot This 2000s Film With Cinema’s Most Enigmatic Character!

The enigmatic criminal Tom Ripley has made numerous transitions from Patricia Highsmith’s novels to the big screen. Many of these adaptations have become globally recognized cinematic works, from the tragically sensual “The Talented Mr. Ripley” to the oddly terrifying “The American Friend,” taking the character in vastly different directions. However, one lesser-known film from 2002, “Ripley’s Game,” features John Malkovich as Ripley in what famed movie critic Roger Ebert deemed the most definitive portrayal of the character.

What’s It About?

Two decades after his initial forays into crime, Tom Ripley, now an art dealer, lives a tranquil life in a grand villa in Italy when his past violently resurfaces. After escaping with a lucrative haul years earlier, Ripley is approached by his deceitful associate, Reeves (Ray Winstone), who needs his help to deal with mobsters on his trail. Although it seems like an easy job for Ripley, he instead entrusts the task to an annoying neighbor named Trevanny (Dougray Scott), knowing that the latter will agree for a hefty sum as he is terminally ill and concerned about his family’s future. The series of assassinations should be straightforward, especially since Trevanny reluctantly agrees. However, even a criminal mastermind like Tom Ripley can’t predict how the pieces will fall in this twisty thriller.

What sets this portrayal of Ripley apart from all others (including the mini-series “Ripley” with Andrew Scott) is that Malkovich’s Ripley is composed and satisfied with his life, largely devoid of ambition. He is married to a musician named Luisa (Chiara Caselli), has completely severed ties with any criminal activity, and enjoys living in relative obscurity. Ripley is typically a relentless con artist, a shark who dies if he stops swimming, but placing him in this phase of his life highlights Malkovich’s strengths. As noted by Collider, his legendary diction perfectly conveys the character’s deep disdain for those he encounters – a skill sometimes used for comedic effect due to the bitterly humorous tone he brings to the character.

Roger Ebert Declared John Malkovich the Definitive Ripley

Despite its limited release, Ebert championed the film, giving it four stars and declaring it the best Ripley movie. He argued that this was mainly due to Malkovich’s portrayal, which stripped the character of almost all genuine humanity, with most of his public actions being calculated and emotionally mechanical: it is this aspect of his performance that Ebert found most striking and elevated him above all other Ripleys. Just as critics have said that Daniel Craig’s version of James Bond is the closest to Ian Fleming’s original novels, Ebert believed that Malkovich was the truest to Patricia Highsmith’s original Tom Ripley.

In other words, lacking the youthful charisma of Matt Damon, the sex appeal of Alain Delon, or the impassive stare of Andrew Scott were deliberate omissions that reduced Ripley to his deep essence: a monster who has transcended his own humanity, craving luxury and devoid of respect for others. And this is testament to the enigmatic charm of John Malkovich as well. Far from empathetic, Ripley was the quintessential fascinating sociopath, the kind you love to hate.

To explore “Ripley’s Game,” look for the Blu-ray and DVD editions.