<P> The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1999 American psychological thriller film written for the screen and directed by Anthony Minghella . An adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel of the same name, the film stars Matt Damon as Tom Ripley, Jude Law as Dickie Greenleaf, Gwyneth Paltrow as Marge Sherwood and Cate Blanchett as Meredith Logue . </P> <P> The novel was previously filmed as Plein Soleil in 1960 . </P> <P> Tom Ripley is a young man struggling to make a living in 1950s New York City . While working at a recital, he is approached by the wealthy shipbuilder Herbert Greenleaf, who develops the impression that Ripley attended Princeton with and knew his son, Dickie . Greenleaf recruits Ripley, for $1,000, to travel to Italy to use his influence to persuade Dickie to return home to the United States . </P> <P> In Mongi, Italy, Ripley insinuates himself into the lives of Dickie and his fiancée, Marge Sherwood, especially as he gives the impression that he is an admirer of jazz . Dickie introduces Ripley to his friend Freddie Miles, who treats Ripley with contempt . </P>

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