The American Friend
The American Friend

Movie spotlight

The American Friend

2009
Movie
19 min
Portuguese

Paris - an American who recently arrived in Brazil - and the Brazilian Thais begin a simple friendship sharing feelings and sensations, even if they do not understand a single word each othar says.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Google Users85%
Director: Wim WendersGenres: Thriller, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

An art restorer in Paris, suffering from a terminal illness, gets drawn into a dangerous world of crime when he agrees to carry out a murder for a mysterious American gangster. As he delves deeper into this treacherous underworld, he finds himself entangled in a complex web of deception and violence, with his own life hanging precariously in the balance.

Critical Reception

The American Friend was critically acclaimed for its stylish direction, atmospheric tension, and the performances of its lead actors. It is often regarded as a masterpiece of neo-noir cinema and a significant work in Wim Wenders' filmography, praised for its unique blend of existential dread and crime thriller elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its visually striking cinematography and palpable sense of unease.

  • Dennis Hopper's performance as the enigmatic Tom Ripley is a standout.

  • Wim Wenders' distinctive directorial style creates a hypnotic and suspenseful mood.

Google audience: Audiences appreciated the film's moody atmosphere and compelling narrative, often highlighting its stylish presentation and thought-provoking themes. Some viewers found the plot occasionally complex, but generally, it was well-received for its artistic merit and gripping suspense.

Fun Fact

The film is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel 'Ripley's Game', and it was Wim Wenders' first film shot in English and set in the United States and Europe.

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