IMDb RATING
7.4/10
17K
YOUR RATING
Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.Tom Ripley, who deals in forged art, suggests a picture framer he knows would make a good hit man.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 3 nominations
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBruno Ganz carried a real gun during the scene in the train station, because, humorously enough, the filmmakers could not afford a fake gun.
- GoofsThe shadow of the helicopter filming is visible during the aerial shot of the train at about 1:27.
- Quotes
Tom Ripley: I like this room. It's got a good feel to it. It's quiet and peaceful. Just like you. I envy you. The smell of paint and wood. Must be good to work here. Then when you finish something, you can see what you've done.
Jonathan Zimmermann: It's not that easy. Not that safe and easy. What do you make?
Tom Ripley: I make money. And I travel a lot. I'm bringing the Beatles back to Hamburg.
- Crazy creditsThe acting credits are divided into: the four leads, the rest of the cast, and the six directors who make guest appearances ("Als Gäste die Regisseure").
Featured review
Wenders' wonder. Don't overlook this one!
Wim Wenders' movies are really a matter of taste. His detractors find his movies to be painfully slow, drawn out, pretentious affairs. Even I can admit to finding the prospect of sitting through some of his movies (particularly 'Until the End of the World' and 'Faraway, So Close!') almost unbearable. But when Wenders is on form he is hard to beat for mysterious, multi-layered, genuinely haunting movies.
Some people regard 'The American Friend' as a total bore, but I found it to be anything but, and almost equal to his masterpieces 'Paris, Texas' and 'Wings Of Desire'. Sure it is slow, and bound to frustrate those with MTV-type attention spans, but bear with it, and you will be rewarded.
Bruno Ganz is first rate as the picture-framer turned reluctant hitman, and Dennis Hopper, who is often ridiculed for his over the top self parodic "crazy guy" roles, is quietly impressive as the enigmatic, almost poetic Ripley. Compare his performance (and this movie as a whole) with Matt Damon's obvious turn in the more recent 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'. It speaks volumes for how much less subtle and intelligent most contemporary movies have become.
Some people regard 'The American Friend' as a total bore, but I found it to be anything but, and almost equal to his masterpieces 'Paris, Texas' and 'Wings Of Desire'. Sure it is slow, and bound to frustrate those with MTV-type attention spans, but bear with it, and you will be rewarded.
Bruno Ganz is first rate as the picture-framer turned reluctant hitman, and Dennis Hopper, who is often ridiculed for his over the top self parodic "crazy guy" roles, is quietly impressive as the enigmatic, almost poetic Ripley. Compare his performance (and this movie as a whole) with Matt Damon's obvious turn in the more recent 'The Talented Mr. Ripley'. It speaks volumes for how much less subtle and intelligent most contemporary movies have become.
helpful•6311
- Infofreak
- Sep 20, 2001
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Der amerikanische Freund
- Filming locations
- Alter Elbtunnel, St. Pauli, Hamburg-Mitte, Hamburg, Germany(Old St Pauli-Elbtunnel)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- DEM 3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $3,978
- Runtime2 hours 8 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1
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