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Purple Noon

It's no surprise that there are similarities between Rene Clement's Purple Noon and Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr. Ripley. Both are based on Patricia Highsmith's novel, but their styles are completely different.

Same goes for the actors' personalities. Alain Delon is more elusive than Matt Damon. Maurice Ronet is as much as a bastard as Jude Law. Marie Laforet isn't as suspicious as Gwyneth Paltrow. In fact, Delon, Ronet and Laforet are on a completely different level of acting to that of Damon, Law and Paltrow.

Purple Noon isn't as swank and posh as The Talented Mr. Ripley. It's more down to earth. It rarely focuses on the luxuries surrounding Tom. It focuses more on Tom trying to conceal the crimes he committed. Both films have their advantages but when it comes to hiding the unlawful acts, that goes to Purple Noon.

One aspect of The Talented Mr. Ripley was its homoerotic subtext. Of course with this being released during the final years of the Production Code era, it isn't as abundant in Purple Noon. In fact, there isn't even any hinting that Tom wants Philippe, not just his money and life.

Purple Noon is a very well-crafted film, even though it loses its way towards the end and has a resolved ending (much to the dismay of Highsmith herself). Still, it's just as seductive as Minghella's film.

My Rating: ****1/2

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