The American Friend

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Hector I @Hector1184BC Apr 8 Stricken with leukemia, Jonathan knows he is doomed. In Hamburg, he meets Tom Ripley, an American art trafficker, who introduces him to a man offering money to kill a stranger. The plot feels almost banal; the story itself is not the main focus. Wim Wenders shines through atmosphere, especially his use of color, reminiscent of Mario Bava and Dario Argento, with dominant orange tones suggesting falseness. The film explores illness, paranoia, and truth through parallel stories in Europe and New York, the latter almost dreamlike. Blending spy thriller and 70s psychological noir, it offers a strange take on the genre. Dennis Hopper is captivating as a troubled forger. The violent ending leaves ambiguity between guilt and a form of dark freedom. See more Jim N @RT88410809 Feb 17 Wim Wenders, Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper involved in a weaving plot dilemma shot in glowering chiaroscuro. What more do you need to know? Jim Newcombe See more thiago s @Thiagostone Sep 1 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Insomniac X @RT03001349 03/28/2025 Bruno Ganz brings a humane warmth to this laconic neo-noir thriller as a terminally ill family man who breaks bad. The film's slow pace is punctuated by sequences which feel almost unbearably tense, and plain, naturalistically styled moments of violence. Dennis Hopper's notorious Mr. Ripley is cool, enigmatic, and charming. See more Sams K @RT65506530 10/10/2024 Very good movie, i really liked it! Great story and acting. Wim Wenders is such a master of directing. See more dave s @RT68722908 09/29/2022 Jonathan Zimmerman (Bruno Ganz) is dying of cancer. In order to provide for his wife and son, he is coerced by Tom Ripley (Dennis Hopper), a mysterious art dealer, and Raoul Minot (Gerard Blain), an equally mysterious criminal, to commit a murder in exchange for a large sum of money. What starts out as a pretty standard thriller quickly evolves into something more complex – a film about existential angst as Zimmerman comes to terms with the consequences of his actions and the long-term impact on all involved. Director Wim Wenders does an excellent job delving into Zimmerman's character and motivation, turning The American Friend into something quite different than expected. Despite the baffling and unlikely climax, it is a very satisfying thriller that asks as many questions as it does provide answers. See more Read all reviews

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