By Cliff Shephard
Adam Scott is currently riding high from many recent successes such as a disturbing Bond villain in Spectre, a lost screenwriter in All Of Us Strangers, and of course his highly acclaimed one man version of Uncle Vanya at the Duke Of York's Theatre, London. His sinister and unnerving portrayal of Moriaty in BBC’s Sherlock is however probably the finest audition an actor could give when considering someone to play Tom Ripley.
Patricia Highsmith’s classic thrillers such as The Talented Mr Ripley, Ripley Underground and Ripley’s Game introduced the world to the seminal charlatan and murderer who was to be portrayed by screen legends Alain Delon, John Malkovich and…Matt Damon.
Although this version is very much the ‘Andrew Scott Show’, the stylistic directorial choices and literal black-and-white-noir feel that Ripley has provides the viewer with an visceral and immersive experience as we follow the plots and machinations of this compelling protagonist. Probably the most faithful adaptation thematically so far, the slow-burn of the story is initially frustrating, before becoming utterly compelling. Initially created as a one-and-done mini series, any follow-up adventures would be warmly embraced, judging by reviews.
RIPLEY is streaming on Netflix
After the runaway success of the first new adaptation in 2021, Dune: Part Two recently arrived to much anticipation. Frank Herbert’s Sci-fi behemoth Dune (and subsequent novels in the cycle) have previously had an uneasy relationship with the screen and been deemed ‘unfilmable’ on more than one occasion. David Lynch’s 1984 movie was famously butchered by the studio who were expecting something ‘more Star Wars-y’, and a low budget TV mini-series in 2000 was received no better. Director Denis Villeneuve’s recent faithful Blade Runner sequel proved that this could be the man to get it right. After the standard action/adventure fayre of the first film, this superior sequel takes a much more interesting path, and though the screen is still awash with stunt casting (Donald Sutherland anyone?), there’s a much more interesting and satisfying conclusion here that leaves fascinating questions and dubious motivations that demand answers.
DUNE: PART TWO is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV
It’s clear that adapting an epic doorstop like Shōgun was always going to be an attractive prospect. The previous version, set in feudal Japan and featuring handsome lead Richard Chamberlain, was way back in 1980 and despite feeling like it went on forever was actually only four episodes. The makers of this new show have decided to go down the Game Of Thrones route, right down to the world-building title sequence. The use of plot swerves, ultra-gritty violence and shocking cliffhangers are in keeping with what modern audiences would come to expect, but beneath this lies a much more thoughtful and clever adaptation of James Clavell’s 1975 novel. By taking much of the focus away from Blackthorne’s rugged hero, we are shown the intricate political and social structure of 17th Century Edo hanging by a thread. Fine performances by largely unknown actors add to the realism of the unfolding story, which has rapidly become must-see TV.
SHŌGUN is streaming on Disney+