The Two Faces Of January
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kristen Dunst, Oscar Isaac
Director: Hossein Amini
Rating: 4/5
Hossein Amini is best known as a screenwriter with the likes of Snow White and the Huntsman, Killshot and Drive under his belt, but now he has made the leap into the director's chair.
The Two Faces of January still sees him on writing duties, but he has made his feature film directorial debut with this movie.
It's 1962. A glamorous American couple, the charismatic Chester MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen) and his alluring younger wife Collette (Kirsten Dunst), are in Athens during a European vacation.
While sightseeing at the Acropolis they encounter Rydal (Oscar Isaac), a young, Greek-speaking American who is working as a tour guide. 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, Chester’s affable exterior hides darker secrets. As events take a sinister turn, Rydal finds himself compromised and entangled as an accomplice to a crime committed by Chester.
Amini may have established himself as a great writer, but with The Two Faces of January, he shows that he is also terrific with a camera and with actors.
This movie is based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith, and Amini really brought it to life, giving Mortensen, Dunst and Isaac some really meaty characters to get their teeth into.
There is a suspense that hangs over the whole film, and Amini ratchets up that tension well with every moments and scene.
Throw in some rather exotic locations, and The Two Faces of January is rich and packed with flavour and intrigue.
Mortensen, Dunst and Isaac all give terrific central performances, and it is the relationships between this trio of characters that really pushes this film forward and holds the audience’s attention.
From start to finish, The Two Faces of January is tense, gripping, and intriguing; it really is one of the best thrillers that I have seen so far this year.
Amini really has managed to bring Highsmith's novel to life, and while he has put his own stamp on the story, he really has captured the spirit and feel of the book.
This is a terrific directorial debut from Amini, and I am exciting to see where his directing career goes next.
The Two Faces of January is out on DVD & Blu-Ray now.