tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post4716021010100978637..comments2024-03-25T11:29:25.356-04:00Comments on Existential Ennui: Ripley's Game and The American Friend: the Films and the Book (by Patricia Highsmith)Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)http://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-66793972742330099042016-02-03T04:03:25.409-05:002016-02-03T04:03:25.409-05:00Well my request for assistance was met with a reso...Well my request for assistance was met with a resounding silence anyway! Let me know what you make of the film.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-16975320956420261722016-02-03T00:23:05.395-05:002016-02-03T00:23:05.395-05:00I went ahead and ordered one of those Italian DVDs...I went ahead and ordered one of those Italian DVDs from Amazon Marketplace since new copies are selling cheap, under $10. I forgot all about my laptop, which I know can play PAL format DVDs with the media player I use, and there are other programs I can download if this one can't play other regions. (The only PAL disc I've tested is region-free; the <i>Ripley Under Ground</i> disc is Region 2.) Anyway, I appreciate your soliciting help, but I'm sure this is the only way. Cheers ;)Craig D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02798473771333728151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-47766523254449427022016-01-30T02:37:14.323-05:002016-01-30T02:37:14.323-05:00I still haven't seen Purple Noon, so that'...I still haven't seen Purple Noon, so that's something I need to finally do this year. Shame you can't see Ripley Under Ground; it really isn't that great, but there's enough of interest for a Ripley enthusiast to make it worth watching.<br /><br />Anyone reading this able to help Craig out? Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-67459677266255960412016-01-29T20:52:13.377-05:002016-01-29T20:52:13.377-05:00The American Friend got a terrific Criterion relea...<i>The American Friend</i> got a terrific Criterion release last month, and I'm thrilled that the two best Ripley adaptations now have such classy Blu-ray editions. (<i>Purple Noon</i> got a Criterion in 2012.) I'd like to see <i>Ripley's Game</i> on Blu-ray, since I do like it as a movie even though it annoys me as an adaptation. The DVD is fine but lacks any extras; a commentary with the director would be lovely.<br /><br />And it would certainly be nice if <i>Ripley Under Ground</i> were to finally get a release of some kind. Here we are <i>eleven years later</i> and the film still hasn't gotten a North American release of any kind, and I'm not resorting to piracy or buying a region-free player just so I can import an Italian DVD. You'd think they would at least release a digital version, something, anything. Even if the film is as mediocre as I've heard, it would be nice to simply be able to see the thing.Craig D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02798473771333728151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-76797997369906098032014-07-04T05:34:33.277-04:002014-07-04T05:34:33.277-04:00Ta for the comments, both. Kelly, I'm with you...Ta for the comments, both. Kelly, I'm with you on knowing the book: if I hadn't read it before seeing The American Friend (and knew nothing about Tom Ripley) I think I too would appreciate the film more on its own merits.Nick Jones (Louis XIV, the Sun King)https://www.blogger.com/profile/17716508525331235684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-62873965259993692132014-07-02T12:43:53.212-04:002014-07-02T12:43:53.212-04:00While he's a weird choice for Ripley, Hopper d...While he's a weird choice for Ripley, Hopper does a neat job, and I like the film on its own. If I knew nothing about the book, I think I'd like it even more. The garroting scene is among my favorites.Kelly Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01752857506190488860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5448581132479481740.post-60405162112800586862014-06-28T15:39:47.345-04:002014-06-28T15:39:47.345-04:00Very nice "compare and contrast." I rem...Very nice "compare and contrast." I remember after seeing the Caviani film that it seemed to stick a little more closely to the plot of the book, but I have to admit that I have a very sentimental place in my heart for all of Wenders' arthouse liberties, especially the unusual cameos. I definitely agree that Ganz is very compelling (and so is Lisa Kreuzer as his wife); the family life is a powerful element of the film. Another thing that I think worked very well in the Wenders film is, as you suggested, the chemistry between Ganz and Hopper. Their characters seem to genuinely like each other by the end, just as, improbably, Tom and Jonathan end up liking each other.Jorge Busotnoreply@blogger.com