Saturday, November 7, 2015

628. Der amerikanische Freund

Der amerikanische Freund
The American Friend
1977
Directed by Wim Wenders








German cinema continues to impress with another fantastic film.  Is there anything Germans can't do right??  Oh wait.

Dennis Hopper plays Tom Ripley, a rich American who is involved in an art forgery scheme.  Ripley is approached by a French gangster (they have those?) who wants him to murder a rival.  Ripley suggests that Jonathan Zimmerman is better suited for the job.  Zimmerman is an everyman who is dying of a blood disease.  Will bromance bloom?  Watch to find out!  Or just spoil it for yourself on Wikipedia.

Excuse the cliche, but this film was really a feast for the eyes.  I was in complete awe of the shots in this film. Although clearly they didn't creatively inspire me too much, as all I can come with to describe them is tired phrases.  Truly a visual masterpiece...okay, I'm done.

So a very beautiful, exciting movie.  I have a slight problem with Dennis Hopper (is he ever not a sleaze?) but other than that, highly recommended.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

The actors had to use real guns in the assassination scene because the filmmakers couldn't afford fake ones.

Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper got in a fist fight on set.

3 comments:

  1. I kinda like Hopper. I guess I like sleaze....
    I spotted him in the Super Mario Bros. Movie the other night, on cable. My God, what a train wreck that was!

    Good review Amanda. I liked this one too. Check out Purple Noon for more Tom Ripley stuff...plus its got Alain Delon, whom even heterosexual me thinks is a dream boat...

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Have you read any of the Ripley books? I read The Talented Mr. Ripley and loved it.

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    2. I have the Talented Mr. Ripley on my Kindle, but have yet to get around to reading it. Maybe I'll have to move it to the front of the line based on your recommendation

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