Tom's intentions toward Marge - Plein soleil (1960) Discussion

[–] pbn 16 years ago

I didn't think that far, but it's possible. It's also possible that he would have continued living with Marge, content with taking over Philippe's life.

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[–] ryanoconnor-1 15 years ago

I wasn't quite sure why Tom was putting the moves on Marge in this version, because in the 1999 version it's strongly implied that Tom is gay. In this version they seem to have downplayed Tom's possible homosexuality, although that doesn't mean he is heterosexual. He may be after Marge's money as someone suggested above.

I don't know if Tom is genuinely interested in Marge because earlier in the film when she wanted to spend time with him in Italy, he seemed bored and wanted to get away from her and explore the market, town etc. instead.

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[–] Yinky 15 years ago

The Tom in the novels was sexually ambiguous. The 1999 version clearly made him out to be gay, but I never really got the sense (from the novels) that he was. I liked Delon's portrayl because it was closer to the novel; Damon's Tom was too "human" for me--not calculating enough, too fearful. I don't like a frightened Ripley, I like him vicious.

I think I would have liked the 1999 version better if Tom was played by Jude, and DICKIE (for Chrissakes) was played by Matt.

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[–] dbdumonteil 15 years ago

I think that Highsmith hated Marge as much as Tom did

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[–] Yinky 15 years ago

She must have. It is a LOT of fun writing characters that you personally dislike.

From what I've read of Highsmith, she wasn't a big fan of people in general. I am going to look for a bio of her, she sounds realllllly interesting.

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[–] [email protected] (1640) 3 years ago

In the 1999 version Tom is gay, in this one he isnt. In this version he is a narcissist and a psychopath, he is neither in the 1999 version.

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[–] waldenpond88 12 years ago

Ripley doesn't come across as if he's madly in love with Marie Laforet/Marge. I think it's the money he's after. He can barely force himself to kiss her on the cheeks or lips. Did nobody notice?
In one scene he puts her guitar on her lap in-between them, only to make her play guitar and not being forced to kiss her.

I was just thinking towards the end of the movie that his plan must have been to wait until Marge gets the fortune from Dickie Greenleaf, then get married to her and after a while she would have a deadly accident...

SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER!

In case you plan to read the books, the scene is different in the book. Ripley forges a last will for Dickie Greenleaf (aka Philippe Greenleaf in the movie), sends it to Mr. Greenleaf in San Francisco who flies to Italy and agrees to Tom Ripley getting Dickie's inheritance.

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[–] MrBigglesworth999 11 years ago

But why would Tom forge the will to make Marge the beneficiary then murder her to get it all for himself?

It's simpler to just forge the will to make him the beneficiary. IMO he loved Marge and wanted her - possibly that's another motivating factor for murdering Phillipe.

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[–] yfguitarist 11 years ago

I'm not sure why he did some of the things he did, especially concerning Marge and what his true feelings were toward her. But another possible indicator of "love" for Marge is when Marge and Phillippe were having sex on the yacht. Tom deliberately interrupted them.

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[–] galaxy7 11 years ago

I think he was just annoyed at being left aside while they were having fun. Would he have joined them if they had asked? Who knows!

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[–] galaxy7 11 years ago

IMO he loved Marge and wanted her - possibly that's another motivating factor for murdering Phillipe.

I don't think so. In my opinion, he just likes the idea of having Marge; I mean, he enjoys the idea of possessing everything that belongs to Phillipe, including the boring fiancee ... she's just a pretty toy to him, although he doesn't treat her like Phillipe did. Anyway, he's probably not capable of having feelings for anyone, well.. maybe a family member or something similar; but other than that, I doubt it.

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[–] galaxy7 11 years ago

Thinking better, he may actually feel a bit sorry for her.

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[–] [email protected] (1640) 3 years ago

He clearly is after the money and does not seem to be in love with Marge. It doesn't mean he wasnt attracted to her or wanted all that Philippe had for himself. So to bring back your quote: "he can barely kiss her on the lips....." Do you not know of courtship, of subtlety, of wooing a girl? He is seducing her. He knows she is in mourning for Philippe, do he can't exactly attack her and have a one night stand right there and then. He is biding his time. Saying the right words, at the right moment, with the right look. He is sensual in his courtship, not crass and crude as you imagine it to be.

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[–] PoppyTransfusion 11 years ago

I think Tom's intentions towards Marge were purely mercenary. I like the idea that he might have wanted her or been thinking of her in a romantic way because then he could step back into Phillipe Greenleaf's shoes.

Why do you refuse to remember me?

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