Ripley: Black & White in Modern Filmmaking — Importance of Look And Style

We live in an era where filmmaking has become increasingly advanced and technically easier to execute. Cameras and equipment are more affordable, and software is far more accessible than ever before in history.

However, having a beautiful image is not enough when making a film or show. For it to evoke emotion, artistic quality — what the advertising industry calls “mood and feel” — the overall treatment must possess a consistent style aligned with the nature of the story being told. The visuals should elevate the written script, conveying the narrative and emotions more effectively.

The importance of a unique treatment recently struck me while watching the black-and-white Netflix series created by none other than Steven Zaillian, the screenwriter of Moneyball and Schindler’s List. The show is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel The Talented Mr. Ripley.

While an amazing film adaptation was already made in 1999, featuring equally amazing performances by Jude Law, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the legendary Philip Seymour Hoffman.

I personally loved this new series. It was dark, suspenseful, and entertaining. But I’m not here to discuss that.

What fascinated me the most as I said was the show’s use of black-and-white imagery to tell this period crime drama set in Italy. The black-and-white aesthetic was so potent in conveying the neo-noir feel that it became one of the show’s biggest assets, effectively capturing the dark, gritty, and anxious mood central to the story.

While black-and-white filmmaking undoubtedly came with its own challenges, it’s doable, and it works. And if used correctly, it’s potent. Seeing the upside of this tool for a filmmaker to enhance the narrative story like Ripley convinced me of the importance of choosing the right treatment to tell your story.

Even though the advent of color images and VFX has revolutionized cinema, it fascinates me how much this classic treatment still offers a charm.

The visuals in Ripley are enough to make you yearn for a trip to the Amalfi Coast, where most of the show was filmed.

Following are a few beautiful, aesthetic, and poignant shots from Ripley: