Purple Noon

Recently re-released, Rene Clement's 1960 French thriller still offers up slow, eerie tension, a testament to its timelessness. Tom Ripley (a scary Alain Delon) may be a poor American, but he wants the best out of life--without working for it. He's hired by a rich man to travel to Europe and bring home his son Phillippe (Maurice Ronet), who has no intention of leaving. Jealous of the son's charmed life, Tom decides to take it. As the murders and lies add up, Tom continues on, oblivious to all but his end goal. Delon's obsessed character makes for the perfect villain, torn by neither conscience nor morality, while wearing a constant mask of composure. Purple Noon is a wonderful ride into a warped psyche. Recommended. (L. Russo)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Dec. 18, 2012—Criterion, 117 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1960's Purple Noon sports a nice transfer with Dolby Digital mono audio on DVD, and uncompressed mono audio on Blu-ray. Bonus features include an interview with film historian and author Denitza Bantcheva (27 min.), an interview with author Patricia Highsmith (19 min.), an archival interview with star Alain Delon (10 min.), a trailer, and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Geoffrey O'Brien and excerpts from a 1981 interview with director Rene Clément. Bottom line: this French “Ripley” makes a welcome high-def debut.]