APRIL 2017 WWW.BOATINTERNATIONAL.COM APRIL 2017EYE OPENERThe Talented Mr
Ripley is a dark tale
of Mediterranean
yachting life – yet the laid-
back, sun-drenched allure of
this scene runs through every
cinematic evocation of Patricia
Highsmith’s 1955 novel. And
with good reason – it is a central
plot point. The 1960 film Plein
Soleil, starring Alain Delon, is
often cited as the finest movie
version. This behind-the-scenes
photo, taken in the Aeolian
Islands, tells an eloquent story
of the relationship between the
characters. The charming Ripley
is helping Marge (Marie Laforêt)
as her wealthy boyfriend Philippe
Greenleaf (Maurice Ronet),
who Ripley will later kill, looks
on jealously. The boat is also a
central character. It is on board
that Ripley hatches a plan to
break up Greenleaf’s relationship
with Marge and steal his identity
and it is on board that he commits
the murder. Later, it is the boat
that reveals his crime – when it is
moved, Greenleaf’s body, caught
on the mooring line, surfaces.
Moreover it is the experience of
sailing among these islands, a
taste of the life that he could steal,
that gives Ripley his motive. And
even non-murderous yachties can
understand that appeal.Evil under
the sun
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