1961. Tom Ripley, a small-time fraudster, is hired by millionaire Herbert Greenleaf to visit his son Dickie in Italy and bring him back to New York. Dickie has been squandering his inheritance on lavish, unproductive living and Greenleaf believes that Ripley, being a friend of his, can convince him to straighten up and come home. Ripley goes to Italy but has other plans in mind.
