This week we continue examining Cate Blanchett’s early career by reviewing The Talented Mr Ripley (1999), directed by Anthony Minghella.

Host: Murtada Elfadl, some of Murtada’s film writing can be found here.

Guest: Jose Solis, some of Jose’s writing can be found here. Listen to his theater podcast, Token Theater Friends.

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Follow along, the film is available on HBO/HBO Max.

What is the film about?

Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith.

IMDB: In late 1950s New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures. The cast includes Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Davenport.

When did it come out?

1999, Christmas day in the US. Throughout 2000 in the rest of the world.

Who does Cate play?

Meredith Logue, a wealthy heiress travelling in Italy. A character created for the film.

She’s 4th billed, first after the title. Damon, Paltrow and Law are above the title.

How is Cate introduced?

8 Minutes in, flummoxed amid a hazy blur of luggage as Ripley arrives in Italy. “What’s your secret?” her first words to Tom.

Topics Discussed:

• Queer themes… explicit/ not explicit.  
• Identity “I’d rather be a fake somebody than a real nobody.”
• Class Jealousy.
•  The American Dream.
• Meredith Logue is a character created by Minghella for the movie and is not in the book. 
• Favorite moments for the other actors; Damon, Law, Hoffman and Paltrow.

Costumes we loved:

Blue coat when shopping with Tom.                         At the opera. 

Awards:

Oscars: Nominationss for Law, Adapted Screenplay, Costumes, Score, Art Direction.

Golden Globes: Drama Film, Director, Damon, Law, Score.

BAFTA: Law for Supporting Actor and Gabriel Yared for Score won. Cate was nominated. Also nominated for Picture, Director, Screenplay and Cinematography.

Film within context of Cate’s career:

Her follow up to big breakout of Elizabeth (1998). 

Gained more resonance when Cate played another Highsmith creation in Carol (2015)

Cate has a knack for taking on smaller parts see also Babel (2006), The Shipping News (2001).

Legacy:

Well reviewed but not ecstatically at the time, it has been elevated in estimation throughout the years, in large part because of the subsequent huge careers of the young actors who starred. Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Cate. Aesthetics have also stood the test of time. The clothes, the attitudes, sun soaked Italy.

What reviews said of film / Cate:

“Meredith is a needy post-debutante played irresistibly by Cate Blanchett.” – Janet Maslin, NYTimes.

“Damon, who does an uncanny imitation of Chet Baker’s androgynous rendition of “My Funny Valentine,” but Minghella keeps him on a short leash, and he’s in over his head anyway. Law queens his way through the supposedly straight role, and Gwyneth Paltrow is more tiresome than usual indulging her specialty of scrunch-faced, tearless crying. On the other hand, Philip Seymour Hoffman is exactly on the mark as a supercilious preppie, as is Cate Blanchett as a floundering heiress. It’s a sign of how watered-down the movie is that only the supporting actors have any bite.” – Amy Taubin-The Village Voice.

“Cate Blanchett fills her small role with note-perfect detail.” – Lisa Schwarzbaum- EW.

“The women are very underwritten. Paltrow is peaky and pallid; Blanchett does her very considerable best with Meredith, though yet again I wonder if anyone is ever going to give her a role to equal Elizabeth.” – Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian

Trivia discussed:

Cate and Julianna Margulies with Hoffman at the premiere (video).

Some of the fashion discussed in this episode:

Cate at the Oscars in 2000, in Lacroix at an event in 2010, in Balenciaga at the Blue Jasmine premiere in 2013.

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