I really liked the movie. The atmosphere of suspense and nostalgia are present all the time. Bruno Ganz is great in the role of Jonathan, as well as Dennis Hoper (Ripley) ... the film works well across the web of murder and internal conflicts (for both, Jonathan and Ripley) ... But for the film work for those who read the book, is best forget the Ripley´s Highsmith ... there are striking differences between them.

Cool setting i.e. time and place, but it doesn't go anywhere and I mean anywhere. Try it and if you aren't loving the ride feel free to bail cause the ending last 3rd wimps out.

i hate wenders and ganz, hopper was good in this tho

Maybe not as interesting as I expected it to be, but there are some absolutely brilliant sequences. This is one of those Dennis Hopper performances where he grabs the film by the balls and doesn't let go. Bruno Ganz is very good too.

All atmosphere - only the bare minimum of character motivation provided.

Wenders has developed a cult following for this film about people operating outside the law.

#908

Tribute to the American gangster film helped introduce Wenders to American moviegoers. Hopper is the typical Wenders protagonist, a strange man in a strange land looking for a connection. Great, creepy thriller.

Atmosphere

Charmingly bizarre little movie

I remember liking this when I saw it thirty-odd years ago. I remember it for being suspenseful at times, overlong and slow in its pacing, and featuring good performances from Ganz and Hopper. It also has a nice little acting part for director Sam Fuller.

An 'artsier' take on a Highsmith novel than, say, Hitchock's "Stranger on a Train". Interesting visual approach (some stunning set pieces), interesting character development (intriguing interpretations of the novel's characters), interesting performances (both Hopper and Ganz are strong in their portrayals). 'Interesting', however, doesn't immediately equal consistently engrossing or satisfying. While I enjoyed Wenders' vision and visuals, I was somewhat underwhelmed by his storytelling skills.

For a Ripley film he seems to be pretty much a catalyst for another story, and it doesn't help that Hopper doesn't much fit the role. Still, Ganz gives an excellent performance and if the film fully committed to making him the centre it would help. As it is we get moods and reactions but not much insight, particularly into the major turning points in the film. The film gets points for style and creating a mood, but the elements don't fit together all that well.

The various interesting disparate elements - the comedy, the thriller moments, the arthouse stylings, the marital drama - never really coalesced for me. I enjoyed the film but overall was left feeling a tad unsatisfied.