The Talented Mr. Ripley

1958

PROLOGUE:
INT. RIPLEY'S CABIN. EVENING.

Fade up on Ripley, as in the final scene of the film,

sitting, desolate in a ship's cabin. The camera rotates

around his face, which begins in light and ends in darkness.

RIPLEY (O/S)

If I could just go back. If I could rub

everything out. Starting with myself.

Starting with borrowing a jacket.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK WEST TERRACE. EARLY EVENING.

Ripley is at the piano, accompanying FRAN, a young soprano.

CREDITS begin.

FRAN (SINGS)

Ah, such fleeting paradise

such innocent delight

to love,

be loved,

a lullabye,

then silence.

The song finishes. Applause. They're the entertainment at a

cocktail party to celebrate a silver wedding anniversary.

Some partygoers congratulate Fran on her performance. A

distinguished looking man, pushing his wife in a wheelchair,

approaches Ripley, offers his hand.

HERBERT GREENLEAF

Most enjoyable. Herbert Greenleaf.

RIPLEY:

Tom Ripley. Thank you, sir.

HERBERT GREENLEAF

(pointing at Ripley's borrowed

jacket)

I see you were at Princeton.

Then you'll most likely know our son,

Dick. Dickie Greenleaf...

EMILY GREENLEAF:

We couldn't help noticing your jacket.

HERBERT GREENLEAF

Yes.

EMILY GREENLEAF:

Class of '56?

RIPLEY:

(hesitating)

How is Dickie?

INT. ELEVATOR OPENING OUT INTO LOBBY. EARLY EVENING.

Fran, Ripley, Mr and Mrs Greenleaf and others emerge from an

elevator. Emily talks to Fran, Herbert to Ripley.

EMILY GREENLEAF:

(to Fran)

I hope you'll come and see us...

FRAN:

That's very kind.

EMILY GREENLEAF:

Both of you...

HERBERT GREENLEAF

Of course, Dickie's idea of music is

Jazz. He has a saxophone. To my ear Jazz

is just noise, just an insolent noise.

EXT. CENTRAL PARK WEST. EARLY EVENING.

Ripley shakes hands with Herbert Greenleaf as he gets into

his Rolls Royce. They are making an appointment. Ripley

crosses the street to Fran, pecks her cheek. She hands him

his share of their fee.

RIPLEY:

Gotta run. I'm so late.

(he hands Fran's boyfriend the

jacket he's been wearing)

Thanks for the jacket.

BOYFRIEND:

Sure. Thanks for filling in for me.

From Greenleaf's point of view he sees a couple embracing.

EMILY GREENLEAF:

Darling couple, aren't they?

HERBERT GREENLEAF

Yes. An exceptional young man.

From another vantage point Ripley hurries on as Fran gets

into her boyfriend's car. A piano quartet starts up.

EXT. THEATER. EVENING.

Ripley runs past the droves of arriving concert-goers and

heads for the theater. Music continues.

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