The Two Faces of January (2014)

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

Writers:

Hossein Amini, Patricia Highsmith (based on the novel by)

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oscar Isaac	...	Rydal
Viggo Mortensen	...	Chester
Kirsten Dunst	...	Colette
Daisy Bevan	...	Lauren
Babis Chatzidakis	...	Stall Keeper
David Warshofsky	...	Paul Vittorio
Pat Hillard	...	American Hotel Guest
Ozan Tas	...	Hotel Grand Receptionist
Peter Mair	...	Elderly Man at Hotel Grand
Helena Jinx Jones	...	Elderly Woman at Hotel Grand
Omiros Poulakis	...	Nikos
George Tzoganidis	...	Heralkion Hotel Receptionist
Ioannis Vordos	...	Cafe Owner
Panagiota Stavrakaki	...	Landlady
Stella Fyrogeni	...	Barmaid (as Stela Fyrogeni)

Storyline

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 ...

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Plot Keywords:

ruins | american in europe | foot chase | con artist | tourist | 

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Taglines:

A mysterious encounter. A dangerous past. A deadly secret.

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Genres:

Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, language and smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English Greek Turkish

Release Date:

28 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

As Duas Faces de Janeiro

Filming Locations:

Istanbul, Turkey

Box Office

Budget:

$31,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$43,116, 28 September 2014

Gross USA:

$507,463

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,551,951

Company Credits

Production Co:

Timnick Films, StudioCanal, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Hossein Amini's directorial debut.

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Goofs

When Rydal is talking to Chester at the beach in the evening, there is a wisp of hair in the middle of his forehead. A moment later when his face is shown again it is a full flock of hair over his right eye.

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Quotes

Chester MacFarland: I'm sorry I disappointed you.

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Connections

Featured in Film 2017: Episode dated 5 March 2014 (2014)

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Soundtracks

The Two Faces of January (Score)
(uncredited)
Written by Alberto Iglesias

User Reviews

A pleasure to watch

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.