The Two Faces of January
A thriller centered on a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective.
Director:
Hossein Amini
Cast:
Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, and Oscar Isaac
Screenplay:
Hossein Amini
Screening Date:
Sep 20, 2014
Studio:
Magnolia Pictures
Running Time:
96 min.
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.5% | 33.8% | 20.6% | 16.2% | 2.9% |
“This is a terrific thriller, beautifully acted and shot.”
“Another adventure new location, but not out of the ordinary heist/murder genre. Music too much and too loud. Did we really smoke that much?”
“Crime doesn’t pay…. most of the time! A suspenseful movie, great scenery. The opening only hints at the evil deed to follow.”
“Interesting up to the murder and then why kill everyone? My friend justified the killings as being Shakespeare.”
“Viggo Mortensen… enough said. Plus spectacular setting brought me back to the Parthenon. However very disappointing and very Patricia Highsmith. Very little story wrapped in heavy breathing and heaving chests”
“A failed attempt at a Hitchcock thriller.”
“Generally don’t go to this kind of film however it held my interest. Thought it was well acted. Felt it was a little drawn out. Curious to see how the film would end. Suspenseful.”
“Kept my interest. They all got what they deserved. All greedy lying thieves. All it took was a blonde with dimples to turn a man. Really?”
“Wants to be a Hitchcock film but is annoying, the music is too imposing and too self aware. I can’t imagine that Patricia Highsmith would not be pleased at this adaptation.”
“Totally gripping. I loved it from start to end. I will recommend it.”
“The film was interesting and intriguing for the first 45 and then it felt lost and the conclusion was not as satisfying as I had hoped. Nice atmosphere and a good-looking film. Reminiscent of Hitchcock but without that masters touch. Viggo and Oscar are very good leading men. They just deserved a better script. Kirsten Dunst did not stand out sandwiched between those two. Good locations made me want to on vacation with Viggo (if he’d leave the cigarettes at home.)”
“Hitchcock style film thrills in a tight noir-like film. Fine acting with perplexing, complex and devious themes with good character development.”
“Old fashion suspense, some flaws but a morality theme.”
“Very pat. Unbelievable how things occurred. I could anticipate so much of how each character would act or react. Even Rydel going to Chester’s funeral.”
“This is a great morality noir tale and a fine updating of greek mythology. Moody, atmospheric, and three great performances.”
“Viggo, Kirsten and Oscar will bring in the audience, the title won’t. So THAT’S why they put their names above the title!”
“A great adult movie built on tragic human flaws. And I appreciate film in which – as Hossein Amini said in the Skype interview – the only CGI special effect was to remove the scaffolding around the Parthenon.”
“Very nice of super ‘A-list’ star Kirsten Dunst to just kind of ride along in the story of a father/son relationship, but she does a great job. She’s just enough of a passive late 50’s/early 60’s wife and yet with a mind of her own. Did she make love with Oscar?”
“Nobody recognized Viggo anywhere! Lots of other holes.”
“Music worked better than the movie. Good looking as a travelogue.”
“Enjoyed the movie with some reservations. Was never sure how it would end since both characters were flawed. Kept me interested.”
“Very slow.”
“A nice tight well structured thriller. I am not sure if the characters were as well developed as the director seemed to imply. Very enjoyable but not so deep.”
“Excellent thriller reminiscent of Hitchcock, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN and THE TALENTED MR. RIPLY.”
“Confession at the end just too unbelievable.”
“Hard to believe this was the director’s first film. I enjoyed this tremendously, and the location shots really added depth to the characters internal situations. Also excellent use of sound to enhance but not hammer the emotional climate.”
“A wonderful film depicting suspense, drama and deception! A great first film! Bravo.”
“This was Hitchcock at his best.”
“Nice thriller.”
“How wonderful to see the dichotomy of all the characters, Chester, Collette, and Rydell. Perfect expression of good and evil. Patricia Highsmith at her best!”
“I kept thinking from the beginning looking for homage to some Hitchcock films. Music was key in this film. Wonderful tension. A surprising (and sort of let down) ending. I’m wondering why give the confession at the end, wanting to be a different father figure. Don’t know why but felt let down about the ending. Very atmospheric, great tension. Oscar Isaac excellent acting (and of course Viggo and Kirsten).
“Great Skype with Hossein!! Thanks for this film will recommend. Wonderful cinematography. Is there more about Rydell’s father in the book? There are a lot of questions about Rydell’s relationship with his father. Would have liked more in the movie.”
If you'd like to know more about the film...
For further depth and knowledge of the acclaimed book, novel reviewer Margot Mcgovern gives an indepth an detailed review and analysis of the novel and weighs the overwhelming pros and cons. Which can also be speculated in the film.
http://margotmcgovern.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/book-review-the-two-faces...
Found here is a detailed biography about the famed mystery writer, Patricia Highsmith, who wrote "The Two Faces of January" in 1964. Loaded with interesting facts of her past and a list of some of her most well known and acclaimed books.
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/highsm.htm
Here you will find a special interview featuring Viggo Mortensen and his deconstrucion of the character he played.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RAWHTwNOt0
Hossein Amini was truly proud of his directorial debut. Hear more of his inspiration here with this interview taken at the premiere.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtrZOPMJgS4
