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The Two Faces of January (2014)
Director: Hossein Amini
Writers: Hossein Amini (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith(novel)
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac
Genre: Indie...Thriller, Drama, Romance
A drama-thriller fueled by a romantic triangle between an opportunistic young American tour guide working in Greece and a shady jet setting financial investor and his much younger attractive wife.
Set in the Mediterranean (Greece, Crete, Turkey) in 1962. The film starts off in Athens as a mystery develops along with an attraction between Collette (Kirsten Dunst) and Rydall (Oscar Isaac). Collette's husband, Chester (Viggo Mortensen) who's on the run, tolerates the presences of the young tour guide as he has plans for him.
The Two Faces of January is based on the 1964 novel, and is Hossein Amini's directorial debut. And what a debut it is! The Two Faces of January has a Hitchcock feel to it, but without Hitch's trademark auteur camera trick shots. It would be easy to believe the film was made in 1962 as it avoids today's trends in thriller mystery film making. The camera work and angles are subdued but masterful, with longer shot lengths and no trendy camera tricks. The film has a very clean, understated feel to the way it's shot and put together. I find that refreshing. There are some tense moments in the film but it's not about 'edge of your seat' film making.
One of the highlights for me was the beautiful on locations scenes in the Mediterranean. During the film we're treated to scenes in Athens, Istanbul and my favorite Crete.
Kirsten Dunst, looks stunning all decked out in 1962 chic fashions.
The Two Faces of January (2014)
Writers: Hossein Amini (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith(novel)
Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac
Genre: Indie...Thriller, Drama, Romance
A drama-thriller fueled by a romantic triangle between an opportunistic young American tour guide working in Greece and a shady jet setting financial investor and his much younger attractive wife.
Set in the Mediterranean (Greece, Crete, Turkey) in 1962. The film starts off in Athens as a mystery develops along with an attraction between Collette (Kirsten Dunst) and Rydall (Oscar Isaac). Collette's husband, Chester (Viggo Mortensen) who's on the run, tolerates the presences of the young tour guide as he has plans for him.
The Two Faces of January is based on the 1964 novel, and is Hossein Amini's directorial debut. And what a debut it is! The Two Faces of January has a Hitchcock feel to it, but without Hitch's trademark auteur camera trick shots. It would be easy to believe the film was made in 1962 as it avoids today's trends in thriller mystery film making. The camera work and angles are subdued but masterful, with longer shot lengths and no trendy camera tricks. The film has a very clean, understated feel to the way it's shot and put together. I find that refreshing. There are some tense moments in the film but it's not about 'edge of your seat' film making.
One of the highlights for me was the beautiful on locations scenes in the Mediterranean. During the film we're treated to scenes in Athens, Istanbul and my favorite Crete.
Kirsten Dunst, looks stunning all decked out in 1962 chic fashions.
Kristen Dunst certainly looks the part, her character is a woman of mystery. I hadn't seen Viggo Mortensen in anything before. He impressed me with his ability to add layers of depth to his character. Despite Chester's reprehensible qualities, the actor was able to add a human touch that allowed the viewer to understand him. The same can be said for Oscar Isaac, he too seemed to have more about him than just a love struck young man. It's these two actors performance and the directors ability to say a lot, by saying little...that makes this film intriguing.
Through out the film, subdued colors and lighting are used to impart a feeling of the past to the film
The Two Faces of January is an indie film that's masterfully subdued in it's story telling and cinematography. It's a must for anyone who likes substances over quality.
The Two Faces of January is an indie film that's masterfully subdued in it's story telling and cinematography. It's a must for anyone who likes substances over quality.