A tip of the hat to Sweetu of
C'H'C'M' for tipping me off to this 1960 French film based on the novel
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia High Smith. As you'd expect, the storyline is very similar to the American version of
The Talented Mr. Ripley with Matt Damon and Jude Law that came out almost 40 years later. The story is about Americans in Italy, and both films heavily feature Prep/Ivy/Trad/Americana style in the main characters' costumes. But with France being geographically closer to Italy, the earlier film is bursting with sprezzatura.
Plein Soleil was Alain Delon's first major motion picture and certainly one of his best (though I can't say it tops
Le Samouraï). While the more recent
The Talented Mr. Ripley was a bigger hit and probably a better picture, this is still a film that should not be overlooked; whether it's for the clothing or the storyline.
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| The first shot of Tom Ripley |
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| Blue OCBD, jean cut chinos |
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| Loafers and rolled cuffs |
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| Cuffed chinos, horsebit loafers |
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| What's this? more loafers, a wooden wardrobe closet, and lots of luggage |
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| Unstructured blazer with side vents, repp ties behind Mr. Ripley |
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| Pretty boy swag |
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| Bare feet onboard, always, cuffed chinos and a loose-fitting pink shirt |
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| Chambray and navy chinos on the character Philippe Greenleaf |
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| An ornate pocketwatch |
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| Aloha |
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| Spread collar, no placket, no pocket |
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| A summer suit |
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| Paisley silk robe |
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| The uniform |
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| Unlined sportcoat in hand |
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| Back flap pockets |
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| Pink satin lining |
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| Black Prince Alberts |
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| Terrycloth blazer |
2 comments:
Have you seen Le Cercle Rouge? Probably my favourite Alain Delon movie.
Pretty much does it for me. Will be watching. Great post.
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