Ripley's Game

Another Provençal crime drama like The American, and others, but this time relying more on the flamboyant elegance of the sets and a fine main character played by John Malkovich, who does his standard mix of "half Con Air, half In The Line of Fire" psychopath. He succeeds again, but unfortunately the film is devoid of drive, without passion, and apart from a few scenes, there's not much to stand on. Dougray Scott is a piece of wood. (06/23/2017)

Perhaps the fourth adaptation and again approached completely differently in terms of both plot and overall tone. This time it is a very low-key story that takes place in bad weather in the Italian countryside. This time Tom Ripley is played by John Malkovich and they probably couldn’t have found anybody better to play the role of the ascetic, self-important, arrogant genius of a killer who feels no remorse and has no conscience, keeps out of the public eye and himself to himself, while pulling strings and manipulates people just for fun. And he is wonderfully seconded by Dougray Scott in the role of the manipulated party. The scene in the train and Ripley’s killer performance with the piano string is absolutely flawless... Completely different from Black Sun or The Talented Mr. Ripley, but still comparable in terms of quality. (08/06/2004)

Ripley’s Game is an elegant, intelligent, skilfully written and well-acted thriller. Thanks to the dialogue and John Malkovich, the Ripley character is a first-class treat. As is the production design. A film without ideas, purely for the joy of the game. (08/11/2005)