Ripley's Game (15) Stars: John Malkovich, Dougray Scott, Ray Winstone, Lena Headey, Chiara Caselli

MANY years have passed since the events of The Talented Mr Ripley, and chameleonic Tom Ripley (Malkovich) now lives in the picturesque Veneto region of Italy with his beautiful wife Luisa (Caselli). During a sortie into town, Tom overhears gravely ill picture-framer Jonathan Trevanny (Scott) insulting his ''lack of taste'' and the schemer vows revenge. Ripley enlists the help of Berlin-based associate Reeves (Winstone) to ensnare Trevanny in a twisted game of murder and greed. The plan, orchestrated with chilling accuracy by Ripley, gradually spirals out of control as double-crossing Reeves takes advantage of Jonathan's situation. Ripley's Game is a sleek, expertly paced thriller which gathers a head of steam as Ripley's despicable scheme comes apart at the seams and the East European mob descends on Veneto to exact its revenge.

The Actors (15) Stars: Dylan Moran, Abigail Iversen, Michael Caine, Michael Gambon, Lena Headey, Miranda Richardson

IN his eagerly-awaited second feature film, playwright turned director Conor McPherson is in a more playful and capricious frame of mind, concocting an elaborate heist caper in the style of the classic Ealing comedies. Although The Actors ultimately doesn't live up to the promise, it's a lively and intermittently entertaining affair.

Whilst mingling with the locals in a rowdy Dublin pub, veteran actor Anthony O'Malley (Caine) learns that crime boss Barreller (Gambon) owes a considerable amount of money to a mysterious London gangster called Magnani, whom Barreller has never met. O'Malley senses a great opportunity to make some hard cash fast and he persuades aspiring actor Tom (Moran) to disguise himself as the Magnani and collect the money before the real gangster shows up. The plan works a treat until one of Magnani's henchmen arrives in town, and Tom falls under the spell of Barreller's beautiful and suspicious daughter (Headey).

Published: 04/12/2003