Peter wrote: << Richard III (1996) or any other version, has held popular imagination since the late 1500's because the audience finds a guilty pleasure in the treachery of Richard III. The Talented mr. Ripley (1999) has much the same appeal. Tom Ripley, as intended by Patricia Highsmith, his creator, is an almost noble esthete whose life-style is supported by fraud, treachery, and murder, all of which are disregarded by the audience. Peter Latham >> The interesting thing to me is not that the character is not somehow perceived as bad (or evil if we must use that loaded term). The interesting thing is that the evil is made pleasurable and therefore somewhat acceptable. Evil hero? I still don't know. But I do see your point. Such films arguably exist... Evan ---- For past messages, visit the Screen-L Archives: http://bama.ua.edu/archives/screen-l.html