Synopsis

Tom Ripley, a gifted but struggling New Yorker, is hired to bring wealthy playboy Dickie Greenleaf home from Italy. Instead, Tom becomes fascinated by Dickie's privileged lifestyle and inserts himself into his circle. As admiration turns into obsession, Tom uses his talents for impersonation and deception to pursue a new identity, with increasingly deadly consequences.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film adapts Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel, following the earlier French film Purple Noon (1960), which starred Alain Delon as Tom Ripley.

• Anthony Minghella made a major change to the source material by turning Dickie Greenleaf from a painter into a jazz saxophonist. Music consequently became a central part of the film's atmosphere and character relationships.

• Principal photography took place from August 10 through December 7, 1998. Apart from the opening scenes in New York City, the production was filmed on location in Italy.

• Positano and locations on the islands of Ischia and Procida were used to create the fictional seaside town of Mongibello. Other recognizable locations include Rome and Venice.

• Unpredictable rain complicated the Italian shoot, making it difficult for the production to maintain the bright Mediterranean look envisioned for the film.

• Gabriel Yared's original score was nominated for an Academy Award, alongside nominations for Jude Law, Anthony Minghella's adapted screenplay, production design, and costume design.

• Jude Law won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance as Dickie Greenleaf.