The American Friend

Along with Wings of Desire, this is German New Wave master Wim Wenders' most accessible film, a brilliant adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's third novel about Tom Ripley (portrayed most recently onscreen by Matt Damon). Dennis Hopper gives a mesmerizing, restrained performance as Ripley, an art forger who in classic noir tradition, convinces a Berlin frame maker and restorer (Bruno Ganz) dying from a rare blood disease to carry out a high paying contract murder. Film buffs will note the participation of directors Nicholas Ray and Samuel Fuller in small, but pivotal roles. This superb DVD offers a pristine picture and vibrant colors, as well as an illuminating, conversational commentary by Wenders and Hopper. In addition, the disc sports 36 minutes worth of deleted scenes with further commentary by Wenders. Highly recommended. [Note: also newly available on DVD at the same price in "The Wim Wenders Collection" are Lightning Over Water and Notebook on Cities & Clothes.] (K. Lee Benson)[Blu-ray/DVD Review—Jan. 12, 2016—Criterion, 126 min., in English, French & German w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: 2 discs, $29.95; Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its latest appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1977's The American Friend features a fine transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack on the Blu-ray release. Extras include a 2002 audio commentary by director Wim Wenders and costar Dennis Hopper, deleted scenes with optional commentary (35 min.), new interviews with Wenders (38 min.) and costar Bruno Ganz (28 min.), a trailer, and an essay by author Francine Prose. Bottom line: a fine extras package for one of Wenders' best.]