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{{Short description|2014 film by Hossein Amini}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
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}}
}}
| music = [[Alberto Iglesias]]
| music = [[Alberto Iglesias]]
| cinematography =
| cinematography = Marcel Zyskind
| editing = {{plainlist|
| editing = {{plainlist|
* Nicolas Chaudeurge
* Nicolas Chaudeurge
* [[Jon Harris (director)|Jon Harris]]
* [[Jon Harris (director)|Jon Harris]]
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| gross = $4.5 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=twofacesofjanuary.htm | title=The Two Faces of January (2014) - International Box Office Results | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
| gross = $4.5 million<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=twofacesofjanuary.htm | title=The Two Faces of January (2014) - International Box Office Results | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]] | access-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''The Two Faces of January''''' is a 2014 [[thriller film]] written and directed by [[Hossein Amini]], in his directorial debut. It is based on [[Patricia Highsmith]]'s 1964 novel ''[[The Two Faces of January]]'' and stars [[Viggo Mortensen]], [[Kirsten Dunst]] and [[Oscar Isaac]].
'''''The Two Faces of January''''' is a 2014 [[thriller film]] written and directed by [[Hossein Amini]], in his [[List of directorial debuts|feature film directorial debut]]. It is based on [[Patricia Highsmith]]'s 1964 novel ''[[The Two Faces of January]]'' and stars [[Viggo Mortensen]], [[Kirsten Dunst]] and [[Oscar Isaac]].


Filming took place on location in [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], and at [[Ealing Studios]] in London. It premiered in February 2014 in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the [[64th Berlin International Film Festival]].<ref name="Berlin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/alle/Alle-Detail_21524.html |title=Berlinale Special 2014 |access-date=2014-11-18 |work=berlinale}}</ref>
Filming took place on location in [[Greece]] and [[Turkey]], and at [[Ealing Studios]] in London. It premiered in February 2014 in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the [[64th Berlin International Film Festival]].<ref name="Berlin">{{Cite web|url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/presse/pressemitteilungen/alle/Alle-Detail_21524.html |title=Berlinale Special 2014 |access-date=2014-11-18 |work=berlinale}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
In 1962, New York [[con man]] Chester MacFarland and his wife Colette are touring [[Greece]]. At the [[Acropolis of Athens|Acropolis]], they meet Rydal Keener, an American who is alienated from his family and who refused to attend his father's funeral in the US. Rydal [[scam|scams]] tourists while working as a tour guide in Athens. The MacFarlands invite him to dinner. Rydal, intrigued by the couple's wealth and Colette's beauty, accepts their invitation and brings along a girlfriend.<ref name="first">{{cite news | author=Staff | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=95533 | title=First Still From ''The Two Faces of January'' | publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] | date=October 4, 2012 | access-date=October 4, 2012 }}</ref>
In 1962, New York [[con man]] Chester MacFarland and his wife Colette are touring [[Greece]]. At the [[Acropolis of Athens|Acropolis]], they meet Rydal Keener, an American who is alienated from his family. The MacFarlands invite him to dinner.


Colette likes Rydal but Chester does not trust him. After dinner they part, but Rydal goes back to their hotel to return a bracelet that Colette left in their shared taxi. Meanwhile, a private detective hired by victims of Chester's investment swindles visits the MacFarlands' hotel room and demands that Chester repay their money. The detective pulls a gun, but Chester accidentally kills him after a struggle in which the detective falls and hits his head. As Chester is carrying the body to the detective's hotel room, Rydal finds him in the corridor. Chester tells Rydal that the detective is unconscious and asks for help, explaining that the detective had threatened him, that he owes people money, and that he and Colette are in danger. They hastily pack their suitcases and flee the hotel with Rydal but without checking out, leaving their passports at the front desk.
Rydal goes back to their hotel to return a bracelet that Colette left in their shared taxi. Meanwhile, a private detective hired by victims of Chester's investment swindles visits the MacFarlands' hotel room and demands that Chester repay their money. The detective pulls a gun, but Chester accidentally kills him after a struggle in which the detective falls and hits his head. As Chester is carrying the body to the detective's hotel room, Rydal finds him in the corridor. They hastily pack their suitcases and flee the hotel with Rydal but without checking out, leaving their passports at the front desk.


Rydal takes Chester to a friend who can furnish false passports to replace those left behind at the hotel. Rydal suggests waiting for the counterfeit documents in [[Crete]]. In the capital city [[Iraklion]], they cannot check into a hotel without identification and so they spend the evening at a restaurant, where Chester gets drunk while watching Rydal and Colette dance. They all sleep on the quayside until the morning, when a bus leaves for [[Chania]], where they check into a small hotel that is less strict about ID. With the story of the dead detective in newspapers and on the radio, Rydal encourages Chester to turn himself in, but Chester refuses. Colette visits Rydal's room while her husband sleeps and they go out; when Chester awakens he becomes suspicious, gets drunk, pursues them, and reveals to his wife that he killed the detective. On the way back to Iraklion, Colette believes someone has recognized her from newspaper pictures; she runs off the bus at a stop. Chester and Rydal follow and together they walk to the ruins of [[Knossos]].
Rydal arranges for false passports to replace those left behind and suggests waiting for the counterfeit documents in [[Crete]]. While there, the mutual attraction between Rydal and Colette continues to develop, much to Chester's frustration. Colette believes someone has recognized her from newspaper pictures; she runs off the bus at a stop. Chester and Rydal follow and together they walk to the ruins of [[Knossos]].
⚫
Chester lures Rydal into an underground labyrinth and knocks him out. Colette, believing that he has killed Rydal, refuses to go any further with Chester. As they argue, she loses her balance and falls to her death down a flight of stairs.


⚫
Rydal comes to and discovers Colette's dead body. Upon leaving the site, he unexpectedly encounters a teacher with a group of students, who curiously watch him depart. He follows Chester to Athens, where the two realize that they are bound together by two deaths. If either man is arrested, he will implicate the other. Arriving in Athens, they head to the airport, where Chester boards a plane to [[Istanbul]], leaving Rydal with a suitcase containing documents that tie him to Colette.
⚫
It begins to rain and they seek shelter. Chester lures Rydal into an underground labyrinth and knocks him out. When Chester emerges alone, Colette assumes that he has killed Rydal. She refuses to go any further with Chester, but he tries to force her, grabbing her arm. As she struggles, she loses her balance and falls from a flight of stairs. Chester rushes down to her but she is dead. He takes her in his arms and cries out in grief.


⚫
Rydal locates Chester in Istanbul and telephones him, demanding a meeting in the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] and threatening to go to the police unless Chester pays him off. Unbeknownst to Chester, Rydal has already been arrested by an FBI agent who demands that Rydal wear a [[Covert listening device|wire]] and extract a confession from Chester. Sensing a trap, Chester flees and a chase ensues. A policeman shoots Chester who, as he lies dying, confesses his responsibility for both deaths. After Rydal is exonerated and released, he attends Chester's funeral and buries Colette's bracelet at his grave.
⚫
When Rydal comes to in the morning, he discovers Colette's dead body and is seen by a group of students and their guide as he leaves. Chester has rushed to Iraklion to pick up the passports from Rydal's friend. Rydal tracks down Chester on a ferry back to Athens. The two realize that they are bound together by two deaths. If either man is arrested, he will implicate the other. Chester offers Rydal $10,000 to keep quiet. Rydal says that he never wanted Chester's money; rather, he wanted Chester's wife. Chester grabs him by the throat and nearly pushes him overboard as he warns him to never mention his wife again. Arriving in Athens, they head to the airport, where Chester pretends to buy them both tickets to [[Frankfurt]]. He says he is going for a drink, then boards a plane to [[Istanbul]], leaving Rydal with a suitcase containing documents that tie him to Colette.

⚫
Rydal locates Chester in Istanbul and telephones him, demanding a meeting in the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] and threatening to go to the police unless Chester pays him off. Unbeknownst to Chester, Rydal has already been arrested by an FBI agent who demands that Rydal wear a [[Covert listening device|wire]] and extract a confession from Chester. At their rendezvous, Rydal's questioning makes Chester suspicious. Sensing a trap, he flees and a chase ensues with both Chester and Rydal running from the FBI agent and Turkish police. A policeman shoots Chester who, as he lies dying, confesses to Rydal his responsibility for both deaths. After Rydal is exonerated and released, the agent tells him that Chester will be buried in Istanbul. Rydal attends his funeral and buries Colette's bracelet at Chester's grave.


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] as Chester MacFarland<ref name="first" />
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] as Chester MacFarland<ref name="first">{{cite news | author=Staff | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=95533 | title=First Still From ''The Two Faces of January'' | publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] | date=October 4, 2012 | access-date=October 4, 2012 }}</ref>
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] as Colette MacFarland<ref name="first" />
* [[Kirsten Dunst]] as Colette MacFarland<ref name="first" />
* [[Oscar Isaac]] as Rydal Keener<ref name="first" />
* [[Oscar Isaac]] as Rydal Keener<ref name="first" />
Line 71: Line 71:


==Production==
==Production==
[[Hossein Amini]] wrote the screenplay, which also marks his directorial debut; Amini said he had wanted to direct a [[film adaptation]] of the novel for the past 15 years. Amini's screenplay is based on the 1964 [[The Two Faces of January|novel of the same name]] by [[Patricia Highsmith]]. He wrote:
[[Hossein Amini]] wrote the screenplay, which also marks his directorial debut; Amini said he had wanted to direct a [[film adaptation]] of the novel for the past 15 years. Producer Tom Sternberg optioned the rights to the novel and originally set up a project with the production company Mirage. Sternberg developed the project with Amini and it found the backing by [[StudioCanal UK|StudioCanal]] and [[Working Title Films|Working Title]].<ref name="kirsten">{{cite journal | last1=Hopewell | first1=John | last2=Keslassy | first2=Elsa | url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056451 | title=Kirsten Dunst joins 'Two Faces of January' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=July 11, 2012 }}</ref>

<blockquote>What I love about Highsmith is the way that she puts us in the shoes of traditionally 'unlikeable' characters, often criminals, and then makes us not only understand their motivations but recognize something of ourselves in them... It was this type of connection that drew me to Chester MacFarland,... a jealous, alcoholic conman who is nevertheless a deeply tragic figure. His journey of murder, flight and redemption made him an unforgettable character for me and one of the main reasons I wanted to turn the novel into a film.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}}</blockquote>
Producer Tom Sternberg optioned the rights to the novel and originally set up a project with the production company Mirage. Sternberg developed the project with Amini and it found the backing by [[StudioCanal UK|StudioCanal]] and [[Working Title Films|Working Title]].<ref name="kirsten">{{cite journal | last1=Hopewell | first1=John | last2=Keslassy | first2=Elsa | url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118056451 | title=Kirsten Dunst joins 'Two Faces of January' | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=July 11, 2012 }}</ref>


[[Principal photography]] began August 2012 in [[Athens]], [[Crete]], [[Istanbul]], and London's [[Ealing Studios]].<ref name="shooting">{{cite news | last=Goodfellow | first=Melanie | url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/the-two-faces-of-january-starts-shooting/5045953.article | title=The Two Faces of January starts shooting | work=[[Screen Daily]] | date=August 31, 2012 }}</ref> Identifiable locations include the Küçük Hasan mosque on [[Chania]] harbour, a nearby café and the Grand Arsenal in Plateia Katehaki, the ruins of [[Knossos]] near Iraklion, and the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] in Istanbul.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/10795482/The-Two-Faces-of-January-ancient-ruins-are-the-real-stars.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501184753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/10795482/The-Two-Faces-of-January-ancient-ruins-are-the-real-stars.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2014|title=The Two Faces of January: ancient ruins are the real stars|first1=Rhiannon Edwards 3:15PM BST 01 May 2014 Follow !function{var|last1=js|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=August 2014}}
[[Principal photography]] began August 2012 in [[Athens]], [[Crete]], [[Istanbul]], and London's [[Ealing Studios]].<ref name="shooting">{{cite news | last=Goodfellow | first=Melanie | url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/the-two-faces-of-january-starts-shooting/5045953.article | title=The Two Faces of January starts shooting | work=[[Screen Daily]] | date=August 31, 2012 }}</ref> Identifiable locations include the Küçük Hasan mosque on [[Chania]] harbour, a nearby café and the Grand Arsenal in Plateia Katehaki, the ruins of [[Knossos]] near Iraklion, and the [[Grand Bazaar, Istanbul|Grand Bazaar]] in Istanbul.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/10795482/The-Two-Faces-of-January-ancient-ruins-are-the-real-stars.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501184753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/10795482/The-Two-Faces-of-January-ancient-ruins-are-the-real-stars.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 1, 2014|title=The Two Faces of January: ancient ruins are the real stars|first1=Rhiannon Edwards 3:15PM BST 01 May 2014 Follow !function{var|last1=js|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
[[StudioCanal]] distributed the film in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand, and [[Universal Studios]] distributed it in Spain and Scandinavia; the latter sold distribution rights for other territories.<ref name="shooting" /> [[Entertainment One]] acquired rights for Canada. [[Magnolia Pictures]] picked up distribution rights for the United States and released the film via [[Video on demand|VOD]] on August 28, 2014, to be followed by a theatrical release on October 3, 2014.<ref name="USA Distribution">{{cite news | url=http://www.magpictures.com/twofacesofjanuary/ | title= The Two Faces of January | work=[[Magnolia Pictures]] | date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Canada Distribution">{{cite news | last=Vlessing | first=Etan | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-phase-4-films-takes-682789 | title= Phase 4 Films Takes 'The Two Faces of January' For Canada | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="US Release">{{cite news | url=http://www.magpictures.com/twofacesofjanuary/ | title= Two Faces of January | work=[[Magnolia Pictures]] }}</ref>
[[StudioCanal]] distributed the film in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand, and [[Universal Pictures]] distributed it in Spain and Scandinavia; the former sold distribution rights for other territories.<ref name="shooting" /> [[Entertainment One]] acquired rights for Canada. [[Magnolia Pictures]] picked up distribution rights for the United States and released the film via [[Video on demand|VOD]] on August 28, 2014, to be followed by a theatrical release on October 3, 2014.<ref name="USA Distribution">{{cite news | url=http://www.magpictures.com/twofacesofjanuary/ | title= The Two Faces of January | work=[[Magnolia Pictures]] | date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Canada Distribution">{{cite news | last=Vlessing | first=Etan | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-phase-4-films-takes-682789 | title= Phase 4 Films Takes 'The Two Faces of January' For Canada | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=March 25, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="US Release">{{cite news | url=http://www.magpictures.com/twofacesofjanuary/ | title= Two Faces of January | work=[[Magnolia Pictures]] }}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
''The Two Faces of January'' received mostly positive reviews; it holds an 79% rating based on 124 reviews on review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average score of 6.75/10. The consensus states: "With striking visuals, complex characters, and [[Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcockian]] plot twists, ''The Two Faces of January'' offers a pleasantly pungent treat for fans of romantic thrillers."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_two_faces_of_january/ | title=The Two Faces of January | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=[[Flixster]] | access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a 66/100 rating from 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-two-faces-of-january | title=The Two Faces of January | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> Peter DeBruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that Amini "expertly blends touches of Hitchcock and Highsmith".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/berlin-film-review-the-two-faces-of-january-1201103399/|title=Berlin Film Review: 'The Two Faces of January'|last=DeBruge|first=Peter|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> In comparing it to ''[[The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)|The Talented Mr. Ripley]]'', Deborah Young of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said that it lacks the "''joie de vivre''" of that film, but has lush cinematography and shows Amini's "skill at working with actors".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/two-faces-january-berlin-review-679217|title=The Two Faces of January: Berlin Review|last=Young|first=Deborah|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> [[Manohla Dargis]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Mr. Amini adds embellishing details and plot layers, hints at a grave [[Oedipus complex|Oedipal]] disturbance, turns up the sexual heat and smoothly increases the narrative torque."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/movies/the-two-faces-of-january-from-a-highsmith-novel.html|title=A Tour Guide Goes Above and Beyond|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> Betsy Sharkey of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote, "As was the case in the book, there are moves that don't always make sense, but the game-playing is riveting."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-two-faces-of-january-review-20140926-column.html?|title=Review 'Two Faces of January' a twisted tale driven by talented trio|last=Sharkey|first=Betsy|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>
''The Two Faces of January'' received mostly positive reviews; it holds an 80% rating based on 127 reviews on review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average score of 6.75/10. The consensus states: "With striking visuals, complex characters, and [[Alfred Hitchcock|Hitchcockian]] plot twists, ''The Two Faces of January'' offers a pleasantly pungent treat for fans of romantic thrillers."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_two_faces_of_january/ | title=The Two Faces of January | work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | publisher=[[Flixster]] | access-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a 66/100 rating from 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-two-faces-of-january | title=The Two Faces of January | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> Peter DeBruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that Amini "expertly blends touches of Hitchcock and Highsmith".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/berlin-film-review-the-two-faces-of-january-1201103399/|title=Berlin Film Review: 'The Two Faces of January'|last=DeBruge|first=Peter|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 14, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> In comparing it to ''[[The Talented Mr. Ripley (film)|The Talented Mr. Ripley]]'', Deborah Young of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said that it lacks the "''joie de vivre''" of that film, but has lush cinematography and shows Amini's "skill at working with actors".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/two-faces-january-berlin-review-679217|title=The Two Faces of January: Berlin Review|last=Young|first=Deborah|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=February 11, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> [[Manohla Dargis]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Mr. Amini adds embellishing details and plot layers, hints at a grave [[Oedipus complex|Oedipal]] disturbance, turns up the sexual heat and smoothly increases the narrative torque."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/movies/the-two-faces-of-january-from-a-highsmith-novel.html|title=A Tour Guide Goes Above and Beyond|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref> Betsy Sharkey of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote, "As was the case in the book, there are moves that don't always make sense, but the game-playing is riveting."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-two-faces-of-january-review-20140926-column.html?|title=Review 'Two Faces of January' a twisted tale driven by talented trio|last=Sharkey|first=Betsy|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=March 4, 2015}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:2014 films]]
[[Category:2014 thriller films]]
[[Category:2014 thriller films]]
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[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American thriller films]]
[[Category:American thriller films]]
⚫
[[Category:British films]]
[[Category:British thriller films]]
[[Category:British thriller films]]
⚫
[[Category:French films]]
[[Category:French thriller films]]
[[Category:French thriller films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Greek-language films]]
[[Category:Greek-language films]]
[[Category:2010s Turkish-language films]]
[[Category:Turkish-language films]]
[[Category:Films based on American thriller novels]]
⚫
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
⚫
[[Category:Films based on thriller novels]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Patricia Highsmith]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Patricia Highsmith]]
[[Category:Films about con artists]]
[[Category:Films about con artists]]
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[[Category:English-language French films]]
[[Category:English-language French films]]
[[Category:2014 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2014 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:2014 multilingual films]]
[[Category:American multilingual films]]
[[Category:British multilingual films]]
[[Category:French multilingual films]]
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[[Category:2010s American films]]
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[[Category:2010s British films]]
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[[Category:2010s French films]]
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[[Category:Films set in Greece]]
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[[Category:English-language thriller films]]

Latest revision as of 08:16, 20 December 2024

The Two Faces of January
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHossein Amini
Written byHossein Amini
Based onThe Two Faces of January
by Patricia Highsmith
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMarcel Zyskind
Edited by
Music byAlberto Iglesias
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Magnolia Pictures (United States)
  • StudioCanal (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand)
Release dates
  • February 11, 2014 (2014-02-11) (Berlin)
  • April 16, 2014 (2014-04-16) (United Kingdom)
  • August 28, 2014 (2014-08-28) (United States[1])
Running time
97 minutes[2]
Countries
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • France
LanguagesEnglish
Greek
Turkish
Box office$4.5 million[3]

The Two Faces of January is a 2014 thriller film written and directed by Hossein Amini, in his feature film directorial debut. It is based on Patricia Highsmith's 1964 novel The Two Faces of January and stars Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac.

Filming took place on location in Greece and Turkey, and at Ealing Studios in London. It premiered in February 2014 in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.[4]

Plot

[edit]

In 1962, New York con man Chester MacFarland and his wife Colette are touring Greece. At the Acropolis, they meet Rydal Keener, an American who is alienated from his family. The MacFarlands invite him to dinner.

Rydal goes back to their hotel to return a bracelet that Colette left in their shared taxi. Meanwhile, a private detective hired by victims of Chester's investment swindles visits the MacFarlands' hotel room and demands that Chester repay their money. The detective pulls a gun, but Chester accidentally kills him after a struggle in which the detective falls and hits his head. As Chester is carrying the body to the detective's hotel room, Rydal finds him in the corridor. They hastily pack their suitcases and flee the hotel with Rydal but without checking out, leaving their passports at the front desk.

Rydal arranges for false passports to replace those left behind and suggests waiting for the counterfeit documents in Crete. While there, the mutual attraction between Rydal and Colette continues to develop, much to Chester's frustration. Colette believes someone has recognized her from newspaper pictures; she runs off the bus at a stop. Chester and Rydal follow and together they walk to the ruins of Knossos. Chester lures Rydal into an underground labyrinth and knocks him out. Colette, believing that he has killed Rydal, refuses to go any further with Chester. As they argue, she loses her balance and falls to her death down a flight of stairs.

Rydal comes to and discovers Colette's dead body. Upon leaving the site, he unexpectedly encounters a teacher with a group of students, who curiously watch him depart. He follows Chester to Athens, where the two realize that they are bound together by two deaths. If either man is arrested, he will implicate the other. Arriving in Athens, they head to the airport, where Chester boards a plane to Istanbul, leaving Rydal with a suitcase containing documents that tie him to Colette.

Rydal locates Chester in Istanbul and telephones him, demanding a meeting in the Grand Bazaar and threatening to go to the police unless Chester pays him off. Unbeknownst to Chester, Rydal has already been arrested by an FBI agent who demands that Rydal wear a wire and extract a confession from Chester. Sensing a trap, Chester flees and a chase ensues. A policeman shoots Chester who, as he lies dying, confesses his responsibility for both deaths. After Rydal is exonerated and released, he attends Chester's funeral and buries Colette's bracelet at his grave.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Hossein Amini wrote the screenplay, which also marks his directorial debut; Amini said he had wanted to direct a film adaptation of the novel for the past 15 years. Producer Tom Sternberg optioned the rights to the novel and originally set up a project with the production company Mirage. Sternberg developed the project with Amini and it found the backing by StudioCanal and Working Title.[6]

Principal photography began August 2012 in Athens, Crete, Istanbul, and London's Ealing Studios.[7] Identifiable locations include the Küçük Hasan mosque on Chania harbour, a nearby café and the Grand Arsenal in Plateia Katehaki, the ruins of Knossos near Iraklion, and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.[8]

Release

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StudioCanal distributed the film in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, and New Zealand, and Universal Pictures distributed it in Spain and Scandinavia; the former sold distribution rights for other territories.[7] Entertainment One acquired rights for Canada. Magnolia Pictures picked up distribution rights for the United States and released the film via VOD on August 28, 2014, to be followed by a theatrical release on October 3, 2014.[9][10][11]

Reception

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The Two Faces of January received mostly positive reviews; it holds an 80% rating based on 127 reviews on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 6.75/10. The consensus states: "With striking visuals, complex characters, and Hitchcockian plot twists, The Two Faces of January offers a pleasantly pungent treat for fans of romantic thrillers."[12] On Metacritic, the film has a 66/100 rating from 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13] Peter DeBruge of Variety wrote that Amini "expertly blends touches of Hitchcock and Highsmith".[14] In comparing it to The Talented Mr. Ripley, Deborah Young of The Hollywood Reporter said that it lacks the "joie de vivre" of that film, but has lush cinematography and shows Amini's "skill at working with actors".[15] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote, "Mr. Amini adds embellishing details and plot layers, hints at a grave Oedipal disturbance, turns up the sexual heat and smoothly increases the narrative torque."[16] Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times wrote, "As was the case in the book, there are moves that don't always make sense, but the game-playing is riveting."[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Two Faces of January". Magnolia Pictures. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. January 27, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  3. ^ "The Two Faces of January (2014) - International Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  4. ^ "Berlinale Special 2014". berlinale. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d Staff (October 4, 2012). "First Still From The Two Faces of January". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved October 4, 2012.
  6. ^ Hopewell, John; Keslassy, Elsa (July 11, 2012). "Kirsten Dunst joins 'Two Faces of January'". Variety.
  7. ^ a b Goodfellow, Melanie (August 31, 2012). "The Two Faces of January starts shooting". Screen Daily.
  8. ^ js, Rhiannon Edwards 3:15PM BST 01 May 2014 Follow !function{var (May 1, 2014). "The Two Faces of January: ancient ruins are the real stars". Archived from the original on May 1, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "The Two Faces of January". Magnolia Pictures. March 25, 2014.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (March 25, 2014). "Phase 4 Films Takes 'The Two Faces of January' For Canada". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ "Two Faces of January". Magnolia Pictures.
  12. ^ "The Two Faces of January". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "The Two Faces of January". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  14. ^ DeBruge, Peter (February 14, 2014). "Berlin Film Review: 'The Two Faces of January'". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  15. ^ Young, Deborah (February 11, 2014). "The Two Faces of January: Berlin Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  16. ^ Dargis, Manohla (September 25, 2014). "A Tour Guide Goes Above and Beyond". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  17. ^ Sharkey, Betsy (September 25, 2014). "Review 'Two Faces of January' a twisted tale driven by talented trio". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
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