Six of the best Patricia Highsmith movie adaptations
From Minghella’s masterpiece to Todd Haynes’ sumptuous Christmas tale, these are the takes on the Texasborn writer’s work that are well worth seeking out. By James Croot.
Texas-born writer Patricia Highsmith created some of the most enticing and enduring psychological thrillers of the 20th century. Naturally, they’ve also made for gripping viewing, as a succession of film-makers have found her novels fertile ground for cinematic storytelling.
While Wim Wenders’ much-loved neo-noir The American Friend is sadly currently unavailable to Kiwi audiences and the less said about The Cry of the Owl, Ripley Under Ground and Deep Water the better, there’s still a cadre of Highsmith adaptations well worth seeking out, if you’ve become hooked on Netflix’s new eight-part Ripley.
Stuff To Watch has picked out six of the best, letting you know where you can watch them right now.
Carol (2015, Netflix, Beamafilm)
Todd Haynes’ sumptuous adaptation of Highsmith’s 1952 semi-autobiographical novel The Price of Salt focuses on Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), whose life is turned upside down after she locks eyes with the older, more refined Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett) at a department store.
Gorgeously shot and beautifully acted, Carol is a slow-burning character study built around two delightfully dynamic performances from the central duo.
Plein Soleil (1960, AroVision)
French director Rene Clement’s first attempt at tackling Highsmith’s 1955 tale The Talented Mr Ripley is notable for a magnificent turn from Alain Delon as the eponymous sociopath and deviating from the author’s original ending.
“Tempering Hitchcockian intent with the experimentalism of the French New Wave, the result is as seductive as it is suspenseful. A bracing study of amorality,” wrote Total Film’s Simon Kinnear.
Ripley’s Game
(2002, YouTube, iTunes)
Alert viewers of the new series will note the appearance of John Malkovich, a sly bit of casting that nods to his delicious turn as an older version of Tom Ripley in Liliana Cavani’s cinematic version of Highsmith’s 1974 third Ripley novel.
Also featuring Dougray Scott, Ray Winstone and a young Lena Headey, it revolves around the master manipulator persuading someone with no criminal record to commit “two simple murders” for a generous fee.
“Arguably the most satisfying distillation of Highsmith's nastiness, ingenuity and humour, with the added dividend of Mr Malkovich's diabolical charm and insouciance,” wrote The New York Observer’s Andrew Sarris.
Strangers on a Train (1951, iTunes, AroVision, Academy OnDemand)
Alfred Hitchcock secured the rights to Highsmith’s 1950 debut novel for a paltry sum by keeping his name out of negotiations.
Despite being beset by difficulties during the scripting stage, the result was a hit psychological thriller that’s become more admired as the years go by.
Farley Granger and Robert Walker are the passengers who concoct a plan involving “exchanging” murders in the belief that neither will be caught.
The Talented Mr Ripley
(1999, Netflix)
The gold-standard of Hollywood’s Highsmith adaptations. Before Zaillian unleashed Scott, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law headlined Anthony Minghella’s pitch-perfect adaptation of Highsmith’s 1955 novel.
Damon’s Tom Ripley charms his way into the lavish life of a charismatic heir – and then is forced to take drastic measures to prevent his lies from catching up with him.
The Two Faces of January (2014, AroVision, Academy OnDemand)
Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Issac teamed up for this take on Highsmith’s 1964 novel about a con artist, his wife and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective.
Making his directorial debut, screenwriter Hossein Amini (Jude, Drive) displays a care and attention to mood, measured pacing and mise en scène that's rare in modern-day cinema.
Of course, it helps immensely that Highsmith's story is full of duplicity, double-crossing and most importantly doubt.