User Reviews

The fascination of Tom for Caravaggio works has, in this episode, the presumed explanation in self identification. The reference of priest from San Luigi di Francesi to light reminds this , like the explanations of guide of Galleria Borghese.

The steps to become Richard - this is the skin of the episode, dominated by admirable scenes like the reaction in hotel room or words about him in the letters to Marge or the evening of Christmas.

The heart of episode - no doubts, the conversation between Marge and Tom, admirable duel and precious clue to discover Dakota fanning as the perfect option for Marge.

In short, the bitterness of desired happiness.

It should be pointed out ,that ,from that moment on, the novel often uses an epistolary style:for instance Tom only meets Marge in the flesh once before Venice ; Minghella opted for another character created from start to finish by him,Meredith (Cate Blanchett )whereas Clément introduced a love affair between Tom and Marge .

As far as Marge is concerned ,both missed the point ;Dakota Fanning ,with her zeitgeist-like ponytail ,is Marge as Highsmith depicted her ; people who read the book know that Tom HATED this girl who took away Dickie from him,and the writer,herself a lesbian, deeply despised her character ;the conversation they have when Tom tells him that Dickie is to settle in Rome for the whole of winter , though inspired by the girl's letters which call Tom "your little boyfriend " , is downright embarrassing ;talented Fanning leaves no doubt about her feelings : though she does not spell it out, she does think that both men have a gay affair .

Tom ,an impostor of genius,little by little , becomes Dickie (he's always known he would be him some day ,for ,since the second episode, he has trained himself in the art of imitation ); he is not so self-assured though ,the policemen,on the station platform ,give him the jitters ....

The ending with a fake letter in which Tom praises himself in the Mr Greenleaf Sr 's eyes, while a choir is singing "silent night" and horrible pictures of San Remo's tragedy appear on the screen, is masterful.