The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

A simple assumption (he's borrowed a Princeton jacket and, so, is mistaken for a Princeton student) gives the lower-class Tom Ripley the opportunity to visit -- and quickly join -- the world of privilege.  He finds himself in love with the excess, freedom, and people who belong there and unwilling to give it up even when his luck runs out.  I saw this when it was in theaters, but I'd forgotten all but some vivid scenes, so I was glad to see this come up as a movie club pick.

In all, this is an effective film.  The problem is that what should have been the denouement stretches out interminably.  Every five minutes of the last 30-40 minutes, there was a decent stopping place for the movie but, instead, it chose to just keep going.  Solid story and strong acting all around, but it just really needed someone to shout “enough.”

B