Plein Soleil Review

27th Aug 2013

Rene Clement’s take on Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Talented Mr Ripley, was the the first of three incarnations of the book immortalised through film. For many it is the seminal version, with the Oscar winning Clement creating a highly stylised, sexually charged version of the film.

The film starts with Tom Ripley already having ingratiated himself into the life of wealthy Philippe Greenleaf, a young hedonistic playboy with nothing better to do that enjoy himself in Europe, far from the clutches of his family in America. Ripley, having originally been sent to Europe to bring Philip back to America, has fully availed himself of Philippe’s lifestyle. Margot, Philippe’s fiance, tells Tom he’s got to go. Tom, faced with exile back to his former lifestlye murders Phillippe and takes over his life. He begins to steal his money, his fiance and his identity.

The Hollywood version staring Matt Damon is a completely different story so don’t think that you’ve already seen this. Alain Delon’s Ripley is altogether less sympathetic, partly because he’s beautiful, lithe and confident. He’s altogether a violent chancer, a man who’s purely in it out of an impulse to want Philippe’s life and as his motives are predominantly financial he is repulsive. His calculated seduction of Margot is heartless and he swaggers around with a smirk of someone who thinks they’ve gotten away with the perfect crime.

The restoration of the original print is stunning and the gorgeous cinematography is as important as the plot. The soundtrack is everything you’d expect from the inimitable Nino Rota, whose tones you may recognised from La Dolce Vita and The Godfather. The extras are fascinating with an interview with Alain Delon and a featurette on Rene Clement. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly is the Nouvelle Vague of French cinema – you’ll find out here.

Having just watched Forbidden Games, for which Clement one an Oscar, I came to Plein Soleil with high expectations, which were surpassed. It’s a completely different type of film to Minghella’s and I can imagine that it has a more satisfying ending for some – although that’s not fair to compare the two as they set out to do two very different things. Strongly recommended, as is Forbidden Games which is another incredible film from Clement and its realy inspired me to seek out more films from this extraordinay Director.