Movie of the Week: ‘The American Friend’

“The American Friend” (1977) – Jonathan Zimmerman (Bruno Ganz) is modest picture framer, and while his Hamburg, Germany shop gives him little stress, his declining health frequently preys on his thoughts.  What will become of his wife and son after his soon-to-be passing?  Well, he passes an American art dealer, Tom Ripley (Dennis Hopper), at a local auction.  He slights him, actually, and Tom now has Jonathan in his sights, and it’s not a pretty picture. Director Wim Wenders pits this odd German and American pair together, as Tom manipulates…