Alternative Music: Jazz and the Performative Resignification of Identity in Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr. Ripley

This article examines issues of homosexuality, masculinity, class, and identity as they pertain to the Anthony Minghella's film, The Talented Mr. Ripley, particularly its troubled lead character, Tom Ripley. Through the use of jazz improvisation, I argue that Tom Ripley, Othered due to his homosexuality and class status, is able to performatively resignify himself as a heterosexual, masculine, upper-class Princeton graduate. Tom's improvised performance, which comes at a great sacrifice to himself and others, ultimately fails, however, and leads the film and its protagonist to a rather troubling conclusion.