Cecelia Royal

I got to episode 2 and thought, that’s enough. This version of The Talented Mr. Riley is tediously paced, devoid of any appeal in the depiction of Ripley, making him more loathsome than he was when Matt Damon had the starring role. in addition the Dickie Greenleaf character, without the natural force of personality emanating from Jude Law, arrives on the scene as joyless, unattractive, and arrogant. Marge, played by Dakota Fanning, also has none of the spark that Gwyneth Paltrow imbued in Marge. The casting, the direction, the black and white cinematography all combine to make this remake unwatchable to me, having seen Minghella’s treatment of the same story. This darkly shot series makes clear why the previous movie was so appealing. Minghella’s is the same dark story, but bathed in a luscious light with outwardly beautiful, animated, gifted actors. Phillip Seymour Hoffman also lent a masterful performance.