Tom Ripley (Andrew Scott) is the star of the year. Maybe he is older than the Highsmith original. It doesn’t bother me much as this is the first Ripley I came across. A man hired by a rich man to bring his drifting son back home. In A Hard Man to Find episode, Ripley is not an open man. Nor does the assignment excite him until he meets the rich dad. At the coastal town of Atrani, when he meets the elite son and his sophisticated, luxurious, cool life with Marge (Dakota Fanning), Ripley cannot resist its taste. This man is a schemer with pretty dark insides. A slow, steady executor of his noxious plans in some cases. Yet, his impromptu evils can’t be overlooked. After all, Tom loves who? Not even him. Do you see any emotions on his stoic face? His brain never rests like his hideous plans. Ripley is a quick learner of people. He adjusts with his enemies until the right moment blesses him. He is good at covering up murders. Entire hard work is invested in there.
Watching Ripley on Netflix took me to another universe. The meticulous settings of its shifting places, class of its people, dialogs, trains, buses, cars, dogs, cats, peculiar traits of Italian people, music, parties, and the freaking black waves in the sea. Absorbing monochrome frames. Ripley is not in a hurry to tell its tale. The character arcs in the solid script by Oscar-winner Steven Zaillian develop slowly with a simmering effect. That’s how they keep up with the audience. Famous paintings hook Ripley. We tag along. Detective Ravini’s decent and intriguing interrogation approach recalls police procedurals in a non-digital era. That old-style elevator, blood-stained steps, and an oar and a crystal ashtray, above all a seasoned criminal’s unwavering persona with its due insecurities. None gets dismissed in Ripley, even a sharp-eyed receptionist at a hotel. Andrew Scott's detached demeanor is the charm of Ripley. JohnnyFlynn, Dickie is the royal loner you can ever date with. Rating it as one of the best monochrome experiences of the year but don’t look for exciting elements. It’s a different beast.