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Entertainment • Film

The Talented Mr. Ripley

The Talented Mr.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1999 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Anthony Minghella. It is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel and stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, alongside Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film was released in 1999 and was both a critical and commercial success.

Plot

Set in the 1950s, the story follows Tom Ripley, who is sent to Italy to persuade Dickie Greenleaf to return home. Ripley becomes increasingly fascinated by Dickie’s lifestyle, leading to deception, impersonation, and murder.

Production

Anthony Minghella wrote and directed the film as an adaptation of Highsmith’s novel. The film was produced as a period psychological thriller and features a cast led by Matt Damon and Jude Law.

Release and reception

The film premiered on 12 December 1999 and was released in the United States on 25 December 1999. It was a commercial success and received five Academy Award nominations.

Adaptation context

The 1999 film is one of several screen adaptations of Highsmith’s novel, which also inspired earlier and later film and television versions. It is notable for its emphasis on identity, class, and obsession.

Key facts

  • The film is a 1999 adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel of the same name.
  • Matt Damon plays Tom Ripley, an American con artist sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf.
  • Jude Law plays Dickie Greenleaf, with Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman in supporting roles.
  • The film premiered in December 1999 and was distributed in the United States by Paramount Pictures.
  • It earned about $128.8 million worldwide against a reported $40 million budget.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally, including in Canada, as part of its worldwide distribution. It remains a well-known example of a late-1990s literary adaptation familiar to Canadian film audiences.[1]

Frequently asked questions

What is The Talented Mr. Ripley?
It is a 1999 American psychological thriller film directed and written by Anthony Minghella, adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel.
Who stars in the film?
The film stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
What is the story about?
It follows Tom Ripley, who travels to Italy and becomes obsessed with Dickie Greenleaf’s privileged life, leading to fraud and murder.
When was it released?
It premiered in December 1999 and was released in the United States on 25 December 1999.
Was it successful?
Yes. It grossed about $128.8 million worldwide and received five Academy Award nominations.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Talented_Mr._Ripley_(film)
    Supports: Year, genre, director, cast, release, runtime, box office, and award nominations
  2. Paramount Pictures — https://www.paramountpictures.com/movies/the-talented-mr-ripley
    Supports: Plot, cast, adaptation background, and release/distribution context
  3. Apple TV — https://www.apple.com/us/movie/the-talented-mr-ripley/
    Supports: Plot summary, runtime, and release year
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134119/
    Supports: Cast, plot synopsis, and release date
  5. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-talented-mr-ripley-1999
    Supports: Context on the novel and its adaptation history