 Tom Ripley and Phillipe Greenleaf are lately inseparable friends. They re both idling in Europe, but on papa Greenleaf s dime. Phillipe s fiancée Marge feels sorry for Tom but resents his presence. While Phillipe s other friend, Freddie, considers Tom Ripley a worthless moocher. But there s more to Tom Ripley, the mimic, the forger, the talented criminal improviser, than anyone, even Tom Ripley himself, can guess.