Every year the Cannes Film Festival whips around, you can guarantee to start feeling the summer start shining on in. Just picture the French Riviera, the movie stars, the palm fronds, and sail boats. Champagne in sandals . . . the works!

It’s like a nostalgia, really. I think everyone, once in their lives will make an appearance on that legendary red carpeted staircase. At least once in our many lives, I guarantee it.

Once again, the line-up of films is quite impressive, and the movie on everybody’s lips has got to be Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring” which brings together Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga, Katie Chang, Isreal Broussard as the real life clique of celebrity obsessed High Schoolers who made a splash in 2009 for their wild and childlike antics.

People want what they can’t have, and these kids just took it to the extreme in a whole new level. Its a lot about insecurity and acceptance, and if you get these things you might get the acceptance you are yearning for. 

– Kate Chang for VARIETY. 

Also known as the “Hollywood Hills Burglars” and the “Burglar Bunch”, Vanity Fair would publish the iconic article entitled “The Suspects Wore Louboutins” by Nancy Jo Sales in March 2010 on the cusp of the newly exposed scandal that was rocking Los Angeles by storm {click here to read the original article}.

How could a bunch of teens possibly have the know-how to break into their most worshipped and idolized celebrities (names like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Audrey Patridge, and Orlando Bloom) and steal upwards of $3 million worth of clothes and jewelry ? Easy, really – Google. The film hopes to shed light on the perils of our society, who raise our bright and beautiful youth to become celebrity obsessed criminals. It’s all just a bit of fun, they think, until things get serious. . .

The film is getting a ton of praise for Sofia Copolla’s acute and withdrawn directing sensibilities, as well as its crisp cinematography by the late and legendary Harry Savides. However, this is not the only film to deal with the same startling themes.

Cannes Classics brings to light  a much-too-forgotten gem of a film, 1960’s”Le Pleine Soleil” (or “Purple Noon“) directed by Renee Clement and starring original E.O.F. Style Idol himself, Alain Delon, in probably his most provocative and stylish role.

You know the story, already, I’m sure. The story of Tom Ripley – “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. It was only 14 years ago that Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jude Law starred in the lead roles of this classic thriller. Published in 1955, and written by Patricia Highsmith, the story would be the first in a slew of novels starring the notorious anti-hero, Tom Ripley.

“Purple Noon” would be Delon’s first big starring role, and it is what he brings to the camera that makes his performance the most magical and mesmerizing take on Mr. Ripley’s misguided eccentricities.

The film was released to relatively positive reviews, mostly for Delon’s masterful acting, but disappointed for an abrupt ending caused by studio standards of the time who refused to see a villain get away with his crimes (which is where the 1999 film comes in and wins major points).

But, nevertheless, “Purple Noon” pays off with its on-point portrayal of the casual life, style, and luxury of the comfortably rich and famous. The menswear is sublime, and almost every shot is a tour-de-force of classic Mediterranean cool.

Tom Ripley is a chameleon of a man who begins to live the life of another more fabulous, and more wealthy man, and the best part is (for Ripley, least), this other man had a real knack for really great style. The rings, the loafers, the shirts, the jacket, the hair – it’s enough to make Daisy Buchanan break down in tears! How could he not want to take over this guy’s life?

This is the frightening paradox embedded within this maddeningly modern mystery.

“He loved possessions, not masses of them, but a select few that he did not part with. They gave a man self-respect. Not ostentation but quality, and the love that cherished the quality. Possessions reminded him that he existed, and made him enjoy his existence. It was as simple as that. And wasn’t that worth something? He existed. Not many people in the world knew how to, even if they had the money. It really didn’t take money, masses of money, it took a certain security.” 

-Patricia Highsmith, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”

Take a look back and you can spot straight off the bat the timelessness of it all. It’s a film like “Purple Noon” that will stick in your memory forever, and become a staple repertoire of how you want to dress this summer: clean, cool, casual, and elegant. Those are just some keywords to keep in mind when venturing into these cool dark waters.

And even to a certain degree, become someone else if you have to. Moving through the streets with your cool clean shades on, feel the mystery embody you, and take to the streets like you’re about to buy them.

“Anticipation! It occurred to him that his anticipation was more pleasant to him than the experiencing.” 

-Patricia Highsmith, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”

Moocher, Musician, Madman; Tom Ripley is an enigma in many respects, which makes him all the more powerful in his sinister quest. His behaviour can be criticised, but also, he can be completely understood.

Who doesn’t want that easy life? The life of luxury and ease that you read about in the magazines, filled with all those expensive clothes, and beautiful women. Think about if you had the chance to exchange your life for someone else’s. . . would you?

The teens that formed “The Bling Ring” would have to agree, and are a mighty monument to the same themes portrayed in “Purple Noon”.

Isn’t it scary to think that over 50 years later, the same anxieties that were fiction, have now come full circle and are as real as ever. Patricia Highsmith was definitely onto something, so if you want to get a head start on the entire thought process make sure to check out “Purple Noon” this summer, and maybe rock the Ripley edge (minus the murder).

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Until next time,

{theEye}

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