MovieChat Forums > Der amerikanische Freund (1977) Discussion > The American Friend ..The Americans don'...

The American Friend ..The Americans don't get it

posted 16 years ago by sonnythefat
19 replies | jump to latest

Wim Wenders has taken Patricia Highsmith's novel and Washed out Patricia Highsmith's vibe and made it his own.
Brilliantly I must say.
Dennis Hopper is America. and you can see it from whatever country you come from.loud and crude Dennis Hopper (Riply) is saying "let me help you, Help me, It does not matter if you die or not, Riply(The U.S.)will still make a profit.
Trouble is Riply the (U.S.), Is so likable you can't help yourself, so like Jonathan Zimmerman you go along for the ride,
You can see why some country's Don't want an American Friend

[–] Sally_Bowles 16 years ago

Well I must say that's a really simplistic way of looking at things. But really if you look at it Zimmerman had his own issues to come to terms with and he didn't follow Ripley because he was "so likeable". He (Zimmerman) was looking out for his own best interest. The US may be likeable but all countries look after their own interests and when it suits them they'll go along with the US. Likeablility has nothing to do with it, it's power and politics. I mean really, your theory makes the other countries sound incredibly naive and stupid. Think it over.

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception."- Groucho Marx

[–] sonnythefat 16 years ago

Your American right ?
Other Country's don't have to be naive or stupid, Just like in Zimmerman case it is called desperation, Or coercion
I can't believe you can be so naive.
Don't get me started with the stunts your American company's have pulled in Australia, and where you friends

[–] Sally_Bowles 15 years ago

Your American right ?
Other Country's don't have to be naive or stupid, Just like in Zimmerman case it is called desperation, Or coercion
I can't believe you can be so naive.
Don't get me started with the stunts your American company's have pulled in Australia, and where you friends

As I said before all countries look after their own interests and will follow any other country that will help them further it. You say let me help you, Help me, It does not matter if you die or not, Riply(The U.S.)will still make a profit. You actually think that this is a uniquely American concept? You think throughout history and up until today the European countries haven't screwed each other over and used each other and murdered enough of each other? To answer your question, yes I am American and my family is European. And don't get me started about all the dirty crap and politics that goes on among the Europeans while they're pointing fingers at America for being immoral. As Jakealope pointed out, maybe you're not the one's to be giving us lectures.

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll be glad to make an exception."- Groucho Marx

[–] Jakealope 15 years ago

Wow, such irony, the US is being lectured on morality by a German. Of course, Germans are stellar people except for a Nazi or two. Time to take a good look in the mirror, mein deutche freund!

[–] lathe-of-heaven 14 years ago

ILOVEtrading films!I've got a HUGE..uh..collection!Please ask!

____L@th3

[–] laokoon 15 years ago

i don't think this is the message of the movie.
ripley is just a broker who connects the french guy with zimmermann.

as for the politics: all countries promote their own economic interest. in democracies, that's exactly what people expect from their government. for instance, what they call "entwicklungshilfe"/developing aid in germany is nothing but subsidizing german exports. do you really think there are altruistic acts between states?

[–] artihcus022 15 years ago

Dennis Hopper is America.

But so is Nicholas Ray and Samuel Fuller. The Kings of Auteur Cool who Wenders admires and loves like crazy.

I don't think Hopper is meant to symbolize America anymore than Jonathan symbolizes BDR(in one shot, there is a pointed display of graffit that states BDR - Polizestadt, West Germany - Police Stare).

And besides if these characters are symbols of their nationalities than Gerard Blain(France) comes off the worst of the lot.

"Ça va by me, madame...Ça va by me!" - The Red Shoes

[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

Any country, especially the more successful ones, have a self serving avaricious side to them. You remind me of someone who knocks a successful person for being arrogant and self centered, as if without those qualities, they would probably not succeed. Especially the Germans, who even before Hitler, had a crude, bullying way of irritating and grabbing it all for themselves. Germans were never known for reticence, gentleness or humility.

[–] nickm2 14 years ago

"... Germans were never known for reticence, gentleness or humility..."

AND they need to 'spice up' their cooking a bit! The Booze IS good however...

NM

[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

Their food is good, but a bit rich and heavy. Certainly better than the English

[–] nickm2 14 years ago

REALLY? Never would have thought so...Oh well I guess Germany's location RIGHT smack in the heart of Europe would result in some culinary 'spill over' from the Italians, French & Hungarians among others....And let's not bash bangers & mash too much...I am rather fond it them myself...

NM

[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

Yeah lets cook the pot roast black and steam the cabbage to slime consistency, got to love that English cuisine. Then some yummy healthy kidneys for breakfast.

[–] nickm2 14 years ago

Well now...A pressure cooker makes everything edible--AND in record time too!

NM

[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

And they are energy efficient

[–] nickm2 14 years ago

That too! I can whip up a pot of lentils in as much time as it takes for the rice-cooker to make the pot of rice I eat the lentils with....

NM

[–] Jakealope 14 years ago

THere is a big demand for English cooks here, for jails, schools and the military.

[–] lathe-of-heaven 14 years ago

You guys are frigg'n KILLING ME!!!

ILOVEtrading films!I've got a HUGE..uh..collection!Please ask!

____L@th3

[–] Manton29 13 years ago

minds on vacation, fingers working overtime.

I wanna find out why I'm working - the answer can't be just to pay bills and pile up more money.

[–] Manton29 13 years ago

What I mean is, do you really think you should be wasting people's time with inane musings on cuisines here? Sheee-iit, man, this is a board for The American Friend.

I wanna find out why I'm working - the answer can't be just to pay bills and pile up more money.