Johnny Simmons

When Tom Ripley travels to Italy to procure Dickie Greenleaf (at Mr. Greenleaf’s request) he must decide on a way to inject himself, smoothly, into the lives of Dickie and his girlfriend Marge. Truly, each time I see The Talented Mr. Ripley I love it a little more. Even though, The English Patient is my favourite Minghella film there’s an inimitable style to The Talented Mr. Ripley. This shot of Dickie and Marge soaking up the sun is a brilliant example.

It’s almost gratuitous, Jude laid out for the Italian sun and even before we realise Minghella’s getting all symbolic with imagery and his characters. It’s not just Tom’s would-be lust for Dickie. Jude’s looks almost golden in the sun there, and I’m immediately thinking of that adage “all that glitters...” because as charming as Jude is Dickie’s more than just a little egocentric. And, I love that it’s one of our first shots of him. He’s lazily soaking up the sun, but it doesn’t seem like an immediately lazy act. We’re more inclined to think that it’s a god among men enjoying his pleasures, which is just how Dickie thinks of himself – and Tom for some time.
    
As far as enjoying the sun goes, I wish we could all look as good as Dickie doing so (and have Gwyneth Paltrow on arm, to boot).

I envy those parts of the world that experience seasons. It’s hot all year-round here, except when it’s raining, so the concept of seasons is just that – a concept. It’s probably because it’s always so sunny that makes me feel less than joyful about things like “summer sun”. But, it’s summertime and time for some cinematic sun.
        
And, what better way to soak up the lethargy that the sun instigates than Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere which could probably take credit for the most misunderstood film of 2010? In retrospect I’ve got to give credence to Jose for including Elle Fanning on his year-end Supporting Actress list. She’s perfect opposite Dorff here. The film is so well casted that Sofia can step back and allow them to just exist, or luxuriate rather, in the atmosphere.

If I’m to think of what an ideal summer experience would be like it’d be this.
As far as soaking up the sun goes, Somewhere is an ideal way to start off this series. How’s your summer going?