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.