Ah :) I finished watching this yesterday and followed it up with Minghella's adaptation. I was floored by the cinematography of the new series. The Hitchcockian series Hitchcock never made. It reminded me of Rebecca and The Birds. I thought perhaps Ripley would dethrone the original one from my list of Highsmith adaptations but rewatching the original one last night made me rethink. Perhaps the 2024 is a psychological autobiography of Tom (my favorite episode being the fifth one...I just couldn't stop laughing) and an extension of Highsmith's literary pathos. This is missing from the Minghella movie because it runs of colorful rhythms of Italian vista and American expatriate lifestyle along with the story. So, I stopped comparing them and enjoyed them both. Although, a huge plot hole in the 2024 series remains a bone in my throat but other than that absolutely fantastic. Love Freddie. And major Seymour Hoffman missing last night. As always, loved the review, Ivan!
Sayani, many thanks for your kind words. I haven't seen the original since 1999 but I thoroughly enjoyed it then and am now looking forward to watching it again and comparing it to this version. I don't think either version will eclipse the other, that is, we'll go on putting the two side by side and seeing what's revelatory in each. There needn't be any competition. You sound as though you respect both versions.
I think these comparisons are healthy. They let us consider how we and the times have changed, and they also allow us to become clearer about what we value in movies and in longform TV, including the way varying strengths and weaknesses can show up from version to version.
That's why I was so heartened by Steve Zaillian's reimagining. It gives us still more to savor. And it brings Patricia Highsmith back to the public mind, and maybe wins her more readers. I think Scott's performance will turn out to be one of the best of our time. Good fortune all around. I so much appreciate your commenting. Thank you!
Ah :) I finished watching this yesterday and followed it up with Minghella's adaptation. I was floored by the cinematography of the new series. The Hitchcockian series Hitchcock never made. It reminded me of Rebecca and The Birds. I thought perhaps Ripley would dethrone the original one from my list of Highsmith adaptations but rewatching the original one last night made me rethink. Perhaps the 2024 is a psychological autobiography of Tom (my favorite episode being the fifth one...I just couldn't stop laughing) and an extension of Highsmith's literary pathos. This is missing from the Minghella movie because it runs of colorful rhythms of Italian vista and American expatriate lifestyle along with the story. So, I stopped comparing them and enjoyed them both. Although, a huge plot hole in the 2024 series remains a bone in my throat but other than that absolutely fantastic. Love Freddie. And major Seymour Hoffman missing last night. As always, loved the review, Ivan!
Sayani, many thanks for your kind words. I haven't seen the original since 1999 but I thoroughly enjoyed it then and am now looking forward to watching it again and comparing it to this version. I don't think either version will eclipse the other, that is, we'll go on putting the two side by side and seeing what's revelatory in each. There needn't be any competition. You sound as though you respect both versions.
I think these comparisons are healthy. They let us consider how we and the times have changed, and they also allow us to become clearer about what we value in movies and in longform TV, including the way varying strengths and weaknesses can show up from version to version.
That's why I was so heartened by Steve Zaillian's reimagining. It gives us still more to savor. And it brings Patricia Highsmith back to the public mind, and maybe wins her more readers. I think Scott's performance will turn out to be one of the best of our time. Good fortune all around. I so much appreciate your commenting. Thank you!