Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Oscar Isaac | ... | Rydal | |
Viggo Mortensen | ... | Chester | |
Kirsten Dunst | ... | Colette | |
Daisy Bevan | ... | Lauren | |
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Babis Chatzidakis | ... | Stall Keeper |
David Warshofsky | ... | Paul Vittorio | |
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Pat Hillard | ... | American Hotel Guest |
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Ozan Tas | ... | Hotel Grand Receptionist |
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Peter Mair | ... | Elderly Man at Hotel Grand |
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Helena Jinx Jones | ... | Elderly Woman at Hotel Grand |
Omiros Poulakis | ... | Nikos | |
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George Tzoganidis | ... | Heralkion Hotel Receptionist |
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Ioannis Vordos | ... | Cafe Owner |
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Panagiota Stavrakaki | ... | Landlady |
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Stella Fyrogeni | ... | Barmaid (as Stela Fyrogeni) |
1962. A glamorous American couple, the charismatic Chester MacFarland (Mortensen) and his alluring younger wife Colette (Dunst), arrive in Athens by boat via the Corinth Canal. While sightseeing at the Acropolis they encounter Rydal (Isaac), a young, Greek-speaking American who is working as a tour guide, scamming tourists on the side. Drawn to Colette's beauty and impressed by Chester's wealth and sophistication, Rydal gladly accepts their invitation to dinner. However, all is not as it seems with the MacFarlands and Chester's affable exterior hides darker secrets. When Rydal visits the couple at their exclusive hotel, Chester presses him to help move the body of a seemingly unconscious man who he claims attacked him. In the moment, Rydal agrees but as events take a more sinister turn he finds himself compromised and unable to pull himself free. His increasing infatuation with the vulnerable and responsive Colette gives rise to Chester's jealousy and paranoia, leading to a tense and ... Written by Production
I have to applaud Hosseini's directorial debut. "The Two Faces Of January" takes us mostly to the 1960's Greece, with three main characters in focus.
Beautifully shot, this visually stunning period-piece (if I can call it that) relies on story and characters rather than trying to impress with extravagant plot twists and special effects. The narrative is very well balanced and restrained from the hyperactive traps of modern cinematic storytelling.
Good acting from everyone involved and my compliments to the music composer too, for providing a very fitting soundtrack.
This is classic film making. Nothing innovative but very beautiful to look at, a fitting choice to watch on a lonely evening.