Plein Soleil cover art

Plein Soleil Details

1960 Certificate PG
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 651 members

Tom Ripley is paid $5000 to go to Italy to bring back his friend Philippe Greenleaf, an American industrialist's wayward son. Ripley, a charming young man whose social skills of imitation and forgery allow him to insinuate himself into almost any situation, finds his target and gets seduced by playboy Philippe and his decadent .. Read more

Starring Alain Delon, Marie LaForet, Maurice Ronet
Director Rene Clement
Genres World Cinema

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Plein Soleil

Tom Ripley is paid $5000 to go to Italy to bring back his friend Philippe Greenleaf, an American industrialist's wayward son. Ripley, a charming young man whose social skills of imitation and forgery allow him to insinuate himself into almost any situation, finds his target and gets seduced by playboy Philippe and his decadent lifestyle. Deciding to take Philippe's father's money as far as it will go, Tom begins to make himself a part of Philippe's circle of privileged friends in Europe. However, when Tom's money is cut off and Philippe begins to tire of his company, Tom resorts to desperate measures to continue the lifestyle to which he's become accustomed. The acclaimed original adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel, the suspenseful taut thriller THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY.

Starring Alain Delon, Marie LaForet, Maurice Ronet
Director Rene Clement
Studio OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 52 mins
Certificate Certificate PG
Genres World Cinema
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 02 Aug 2004
Production year: 1960
Format DVD
  • Critics' reviews (2) of Plein Soleil

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    This shimmering and suspenseful crime drama is based on the Patricia Highsmith novel, The Talented Mr Ripley, the title by which most people now know it following the recent Anthony Minghella remake starring Matt Damon and Jude Law. Rarely has such a sinister tale been told against such a gloriously sunny backdrop, yet Henri Decae's picture-postcard views are every bit as atmospheric as the gloomiest monochrome, film noir cityscape. With more than a nod in the direction of Alfred Hitchcock, René Clément makes extensive use of a moving camera to pick up every nuance and detail as the calculating Alain Delon travels to Rome to find his well-to-do pal, Maurice Ronet, whose parents want him to come home. Stylish, impeccably played and utterly engrossing.

    • Radio Times
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Sparkling variation on an American film noir, glowing in the Mediterranean sun and maintaining suspense as well as a sense of sexual ambiguity.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • Most helpful member's review of Plein Soleil

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  • 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Puts The Talented Mr Ripley Under Water

    Did you find The Talented Mr Ripley overlong, overwrought and fairly vapid in its direction. Then watch this and see how it has been done better and smarter. I haven't read the book but this version is far better as a film, all the main actors here are superior to the Minghella version (with the exception of Philip Symour Hoffman) and the direction is a lot tauter. The few changes in storyline between the two films also work in this versions favour.

    Well recommended.

      • Saty from Reading
  • Most recent members' review of Plein Soleil

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  • 7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    Puts The Talented Mr Ripley Under Water

    Did you find The Talented Mr Ripley overlong, overwrought and fairly vapid in its direction. Then watch this and see how it has been done better and smarter. I haven't read the book but this version is far better as a film, all the main actors here are superior to the Minghella version (with the exception of Philip Symour Hoffman) and the direction is a lot tauter. The few changes in storyline between the two films also work in this versions favour.

    Well recommended.

      • Saty from Reading
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651 Member ratings
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16
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6

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    • Tom Ripley is paid $5000 to go to Italy to bring back his friend Philippe Greenleaf, an American industrialist's wayward son. Ripley, a charming young man whose social skills of imitation and forgery ...