Dead in the water

Why we all fell for the devilish Tom Ripley

Words by Chris Sullivan

Novelist Patricia Highsmith's creation Tom Ripley, the central character for five novels (collectively known as The Ripliad) - and five movies - is an out-and-out cad who lies, cheats and murders, survives the good guys and openly luxuriates in his ill gotten gains.

Highsmith first introduced him in 1955 in the ironically titled The Talented Mr Ripley. There, the orphaned misfit meets wealthy shopping magnate Herbert Greenleaf, who pays him to g o to Italy, track down his son, and bring him back to the US. Of course Ripley finds the playboy, gets a taste of the good life, becomes obsessed him, and, when said gadabout tires of the millionaire's company, kills him. Subsequently he assumes Greenleaf Junior's identity, forges his signature, accesses his trust fund and becomes his prey while events conspire to push him to murder again.

The beauty of the book is that unlike many other novels, after forging Greenleaf's will and inheriting his fortune, Ripley, although fearing a life on the run, still evades capture, moves to Greece, and wallows in his new found wealth. In other words: he is a villain who succeeds. Ipso facto, the general public lapped him up.

To be sure, no matter how successful the initial novel was, it was the book's first cinematic adaptation, Plein Soleil (1960), by French director Rene Clement, that really put the character on the map. Set in Italy and starring Alain Delon, the film's feel and style evokes those lazy hazy days of summer while Ripley's casual St. Tropez style (think bright polo shirts, unlined sports jackets, skinny pants and loafers without socks) provoked a Carnaby Street creator John Stephens in his early sixties Old Compton Street store Sportique, resonates today almost as much as Ripley himself.

A Man For All Seasons

Many have played Ripley over the years - each bringing their own brand of celluloid magic to the role

Ripley: Alain Delon Film: Plein Soleil (1960) Adapted from: The Talented Mr Ripley

The absurdly handsome French heartthrob in René Clément's adaptation is, for me, the perfect Ripley. Inhabiting a face like Delon's, Ripley can get away with murder - both men and women like to be around him, he exudes charm, and it all makes perfect sense. And lest we forget, Delon, as a teenager, was dishonourably discharged from the French army for misconduct, dallied with the Parisian criminal underworld (his best friend Corsican gangster Francois Mancantoni was charged with accessory to the murder of Delon's bodyguard) and is a now a Le Penn supporting fascist - so that underlying menace is in fact real. Highsmith loved this portrayal of her creation.

Ripley: Dennis Hopper Film: The American Friend (1977) Adapted from: Ripley's Game

Perfectly cast yet again, Hopper's Ripley is thoroughly sneaky, sinister and snide in Wim Wenders' neo-noir adaptation. He deals in forged art, kills people who get in his way and has the cold detached aura of a cobra - his cold shifty eyes constantly looking for another victim. "I would like to be your friend," says Hopper's deeply eccentric, Texas-style Ripley. "But friendship isn't possible."

Ripley: Matt Damon Film: The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) Adapted from: The Talented Mr Ripley

Maybe the reason why Ripley has been realised so often on the big screen is that, as such a cunning, duplicitous snake, both actors and audiences find him intriguing. One can thoroughly believe Damon's clean cut, Ivy League butter-wouldn't-melt opportunist. One can see how he works - he is the protagonist, and we see everything through his eyes. He's an ogre, but a charming one, and we want him to get away with it.

Ripley: John Malkovich Film: Ripley's Game (2002) Adapted from: Ripley's Game

Malkovich, with his rather snide, superior manner, eminently fey posture and lingering yet detached menace, was the perfect actor to play Ripley in Liliana Cavalli's darkly funny contribution. Malkovich lost weight to play his cultured sociopath, and excels in delivery. "Hold my watch," he tells his reluctant accomplice Trevanny (Dougray Scott) before he starts killing his enemies on a train. "Because if it breaks I'll kill everyone on this train." And you believe him.

Ripley: Barry Pepper Film: Ripley Under Ground (2005) Adapted from: Ripley Under Ground

Pepper, who came to our attention as the excellent marksman in Saving Private Ryan, was up against huge competition playing the demonically complicated and murderous con-artist in Roger Spottiswoode's film, which also stars Willem Dafoe and Alan Cumming. However, although he somehow fails to live up to his eminent predecessors, I like him, and his performance is fun and underrated.