Daily Archives: January 23, 2017

Purple Noon (Plein soleil)
Directed by Rene Clement
Adapted by Rene Clement and Paul Gegauff from the novel The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
1960/France/Italy
Robert et Raymond Hakim/Paris Film/Paritalia/Titanus
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Philippe Greenleaf: It seems awfully complicated. You’d be caught immediately.
Tom Ripley: Not necessarily. I might not look it, but I’ve got lots of imagination.[/box]

This excellent movie makes me want to head straight to the Italian coast.  Not with Tom Ripley, obviously …

Philippe Greenleaf is a rich and self-satisfied ne’er-do-well who is on a permanent vacation in Europe.  Philippe’s father hired Philippe’s “childhood friend” Tom Ripley to fetch his son back to San Francisco.  Tom amuses Philippe and they are now raising hell together. It is clear right away that Tom is jealous of Philippe’s money and lifestyle.  This envy is exacerbated by the fact that Philippe treats Tom the way he treats everybody else – badly.

Eventually, Philippe, Philippe’s fiancee Marge, and Tom set off for a cruise on Philippe’s yacht.  Marge wants more private time and Tom learns of Philippe’s intention to eject him. This sets in motion Ripley’s elaborate plan to take Philippe’s money, girlfriend and life.

The whole film is bathed in sun but it is at bottom the darkest of film noirs.  Alain Delon makes an utterly attractive and charming psychopath.  I love the ironic witty dialogue throughout and the fabulous cinematography and compositions. Nino Rota’s score is another plus. Highly recommended.

Restoration Trailer

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I’m going to Las Vegas for a few days to see my new grand-niece.  Will be back to reviewing January 29.

Never Let Go
Directed by John Guillermin
Written by Alun Falconer; story by John Guillermin and Peter de Sarigny
1960/UK
Julian Wintle/Leslie Parkyn Productions
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] [on developing a role for the screen] I walk around, trying different accents, feeling my way to the character. I stare at my own image in the mirror every morning, waiting for the other fellow – the man I’m going to play – to emerge and stare back at me. I am waiting for the stranger to come into my life. When it happens, I have this flush of happiness. — Peter Sellers[/box]

I saw this back at the dawn of time but didn’t remember the title.  Peter Sellers’ performance in this violent film noir was unforgettable however.

Lionel Meadows runs a garage but his real business is in stolen cars.  In his work, he employs a number of people including a gang of teenage hoodlums lead by Tommy Towers (Adam Faith).  Meadows is outwardly quite affable but any deviation from his will is met with vicious physical violence.

John Cummings (Richard Todd) is a cosmetic salesman.  He is desperate to prove himself after a number of failed efforts.  His over-zealousness has made him unpopular with his customers however.  He recently purchased a car in an attempt to increase his sales calls and sales.  True to form, he has neglected to insure it.

Tommy steals Cummings’ car from outside his place of work.  Pressure on the police does not net Cummings his vehicle so he begins his own investigation.  He refuses to stop after urging by both the police and his long-suffering wife (Elizabeth Sellars).  He may not survive the inevitable final confrontation with Meadows.

Peter Sellers is absolutely fantastic in a deadly serious role.  I still remembered the shocking scene with the aquarium after so many years.   The story itself moves at a brisk pace.  John Barry wrote the jazzy score.  Despite a quibble with the very end, I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Clip