What is The American Friend?
The American Friend is a 1977 drama, thriller, and crime film with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. The plot follows Tom Ripley, an American art forger who is slighted by a picture framer named Jonathan Zimmerman at a Hamburg auction.
- Type
- Film
- Year
- 1977
- Status
- Released
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
- Release date
- Jun 24, 1977
- Studios
- Road Movies, Wim Wenders Productions, Les Films du Losange
- Genres
- Drama, Thriller, Crime
- Updated
Trailer
Overview
The American Friend is a 1977 drama, thriller, and crime film with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. The plot follows Tom Ripley, an American art forger who is slighted by a picture framer named Jonathan Zimmerman at a Hamburg auction. When Ripley is asked by gangster Raoul Minot to kill a rival, he coerces the terminally ill Zimmerman into acting as the hitman.
The film is notable for its unusual natural language concept, where Zimmerman speaks German with his doctor and family but switches to English when interacting with Ripley or visiting Paris. It blends themes of crime and desperation within a European setting.
Should you watch it?
“A forged art dealer coerces a terminally ill picture framer into becoming a hitman.”
- Explores the complex relationship between Tom Ripley and Jonathan Zimmerman
- Features a unique natural language concept involving German and English
- Combines elements of art forgery and organized crime
- The plot involves the coercion of a terminally ill man
Watch it if you enjoy crime dramas involving art forgery and psychological coercion.
This drama and crime thriller features a plot centered on murder and illness.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about The American Friend — answers are spoiler-safe.
Your verdict
Is The American Friend worth watching?
Cast
Frequently asked questions
What is the plot of The American Friend?
Tom Ripley coerces a terminally ill picture framer into becoming a hitman for a gangster.
How long is the movie?
The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes.
What languages are spoken in the film?
The film uses both German and English to reflect the characters' different social interactions.
What genres does this film fall under?
It is categorized as a drama, thriller, and crime film.
Explore The American Friend
Where to watch Similar movies More from Road MoviesMore from Wim Wenders Productions
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on The American Friend.