“The Talented Mr. Ripley” is a film that weaves a tale of intrigue and identity. In it, a typewriter emerges not just as a prop, but as a symbol. That typewriter is an Olivetti Lettera 32.
The machine belongs to Dickie Greenleaf (played by Jude Law) but becomes, like the rest of Greenleaf’s life, the property of Tom Ripley (Matt Damon). Ripley’s character skillfuly manipulates his reality, much like he manipulates the keys of the Olivetti.
The Lettera 32, launched in 1963 as a successor to the ’22’, was celebrated for its functionality and elegance. Its lightweight design and durability made it a popular choice for writers and travellers alike. In the film, the typewriter is a quiet companion to Ripley’s schemes, its clacking keys underscoring the tension of his deceptions.
In a film set in the 1950s, the Lettera 32’s presence adds limited authenticity in a strict sense, with the model only being released in the following decade.
But it’s a window into the general era’s technology, reflecting both the style and the substance of the time.
Italian icons are on full display in the movie: Tom rides the city on a Lambretta and Dickie makes coffee with a stylish La Pavoni lever espresso machine.
The typewriter becomes an extension of Ripley’s character – sleek, efficient, and enigmatic.
Today, the Olivetti Lettera 32, much like its portrayal in “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, remains a coveted item for collectors and enthusiasts. It represents a blend of industrial design and cultural significance. It’s a reminder of a bygone era where each letter and word was a physical imprint on paper.
“The Talented Mr. Ripley” and the Olivetti Lettera 32 remind us of the power of storytelling – both in the written word and in cinema. The typed word is alluded to right up until end of the movie too with a Courier-like font used for the credits. The typewriter, in this context, is more than a tool… it’s a character that helps unravel a story of duplicity and desire.
Look out for Lettera models on our page dedicated to Olivetti typewriters.