The American Friend (1977)

In the heart of Hamburg, a picture framer named Jonathan Zimmermann is living under the looming shadow of a leukemia diagnosis. His world, already tinged with the somber hues of mortality, is about to take a darker turn when Tom Ripley, an American art dealer with a decidedly unorthodox business model, enters the picture. Ripley, whose sweet deal with an art forger has him peddling counterfeit masterpieces, is prompted by a nefarious criminal associate to venture into a much more dangerous game: murder. Seeing an opportunity in Zimmermann's bleak circumstances, Ripley suggests his associate recruit the terminally ill craftsman as an unlikely hitman. After all, who would suspect a man with a family and a death sentence? Zimmermann, desperate to secure his family's financial future, agrees to the deadly proposition. Caught in an intricate web of deceit and double-dealing, Zimmermann descends into a chilling underworld, where his life becomes a twisted canvas painted with violence and betrayal. As he delves deeper into his deadly tasks, he finds himself reliant on the manipulative Ripley, creating a complex and precarious alliance. "The American Friend" weaves a narrative that is a metaphorical exploration of the relationship between post-war German culture and the allure of American (Hollywood) idealism. The cameos by several Hollywood directors serve to underscore this theme, adding another layer to this profound crime drama. This is a haunting tale of desperation, survival, and the lengths one man will go to protect those he loves, set against a backdrop of art and assassination.

The American Friend is a drama movie featuring Dennis Hopper.

The American Friend is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy The American Friend on Amazon Video, Apple TV and Vudu.