The Two Faces of January
Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: September 26, 2014
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 60 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
28
Mixed:
26
Negative:
6
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
sanyrubJan 25, 2015
Pretty interesting film with a good (although not so original) story where the actors shine the most. You have the brilliant Oscar Isaac and also Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst all of them doing a very good job. The biggest flaw would bePretty interesting film with a good (although not so original) story where the actors shine the most. You have the brilliant Oscar Isaac and also Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst all of them doing a very good job. The biggest flaw would be that the pace is a little bit slow for the most impatient viewers. But overall the film makes you feel satisfied by the moment it ends. See it!… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
foxgroveSep 26, 2014
Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith this suspenseful mystery drama is of the same high calibre that distinguished 'The Talented Mr Ripley' another adaptation with the same classy pedigree. This film is elevated by three compellinglyBased on the novel by Patricia Highsmith this suspenseful mystery drama is of the same high calibre that distinguished 'The Talented Mr Ripley' another adaptation with the same classy pedigree. This film is elevated by three compellingly nuanced performances even it's the men who steal the show. Kirsten Dunst with less screen time is still very good, but it is the chemistry between Viggo Mortenson and Oscar Isaac that makes the material zing. Watching them play the cat and mouse games afforded them by the serpentine twists and turns of a very impressive screenplay makes for enthralling viewing. Director Hussein Amir keeps his camera in close creating an edgy claustrophobic atmosphere, whilst not allowing the gorgeous Greek and Turkish locations to distract from the main drama. This may be a low key film, but it is one of high quality. Smooth editing and luminous camera work add to the distinctive achievement. My only misgiving is with the title, the meaning of which completely eludes me.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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7
joaogerundoSep 27, 2014
Joao gerundo : This is one of Mortensen's best performances, and "The Two Faces of January" is one gorgeously rendered old-school feature.
The convergence of two superb writers creates a taut, character-driven thriller.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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7
SpangleFeb 26, 2015
As a whole, The Two Faces of January is a pretty good film. It is a touch slow, but I never thought its pacing was particularly bad or anything, plus the reward, to me, was ultimately worth it. Though, even if the ending was not as good as itAs a whole, The Two Faces of January is a pretty good film. It is a touch slow, but I never thought its pacing was particularly bad or anything, plus the reward, to me, was ultimately worth it. Though, even if the ending was not as good as it was, it still would have been worth it due to the stellar cinematography in this one, as well as the great acting from Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, and Oscar Isaac. In regard to the former, it really is a very sleek and sexy film to look at, true eye candy. I just loved the look and feel of this one and it was beautifully crafted. The writing was alright, nothing to write home about, but it certainly got the job done. At times, it certainly feels like a watered down film from Alfred Hitchcock and if this one had a bit more about it, it would have been better, but as it stands, I did enjoy it and thought it was a solid little film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
DevilmathSep 27, 2015
The Two Faces of January is a psychological thriller adapted from a novel by American writer Patricia Highsmith. Previous adaptations of her work include Strangers On A Train (1951) by Alfred Hitchcock, and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) byThe Two Faces of January is a psychological thriller adapted from a novel by American writer Patricia Highsmith. Previous adaptations of her work include Strangers On A Train (1951) by Alfred Hitchcock, and The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) by the late Academy Award winner Anthony Minghella. After a significant but fluctuating career as screenwriter (The Four Feathers, Drive, Snow White And The Huntsman), Hossein Amini takes on a challenging task for his directorial debut, proving that his skills can compete with Minghella’s and with the Master of Supense’s himself. Amini conveys the complex aspects of human behaviour typical of the finest thrillers in a surprisingly powerful way: he sharply outlines atmospheres, characters and situations, harmoniously blending them together in a remarkable, intriguing drama.
The story is set in Greece, in the early ‘60s. Walking by the Acropolys in Athens, we meet the three main characters: glamorous American couple Chester and Colette MacFarland (Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst), and Rydal (Oscar Isaac), a young Greek-speaking American working as tour guide. The characters’ duplicity is immediately evident. Rydal missed his father’s funeral, apparently on purpose; the event seems to trouble him, but not enough to stop him from scamming random tourists. On the other hand, Chester and Colette look like the usual wealthy couple on holiday. They wander by the ancient ruins and have fun together, harmless to all appearances. However it doesn’t take long to understand that Chester is the kind of crook who doesn’t make his living by skimming tourists’ money: he is mixed up in something dodgiers and way more lucrative. Lured by Chester’s sophisticated look and beautiful wife, Rydal bumps into the MacFarlands and sticks with them, hoping to have found another easy target; when Chester’s problems inevitably find him in Athens, hell breaks loose, and Rydal finds himself dragged in a situation he would never have foreseen. His choices must now be dictated by more than just his appetite for money. All of a sudden, the petty criminal becomes way more sympathetic than what used to look like a lovely couple on vacation.
Mortensen’s performance and characterisation of a very complex and troubled figure is the strongest asset of The Two Faces Of January. With Isaac also grabbing the spotlight, there’s little room left for Dunst, completing the triangle in a lesser role that would hardly please the supporters of Bechdel’s Law. As he builds the tension between the three protagonists, Amini doesn’t hide the source of his inspiration: Hitchcock is a presence that fills every character’s action, word and fear. The set up is splendidly rendered, and the story avoids overindulging plot twists, focusing especially on the protagonists’ choices, throughout the first two acts. The plot resolution is way less convincing: halfway into the film, it becomes clear that only a stroke of genius can solve the intrigue efficiently, and complete the puzzle of apprehension, suspense, deception and self-deception. Unfortunately the ending develops on a less original (not to say lousy) note, no matter how hard Amini tries to avoid it. It would be too easy to impute this oversemplification to inexperience or lack of personality, or blame it on a commercial twist in an otherwise rather thoughtful feature. There’s room for improvement, and hopefully we’ll see Amini back in action soon.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
inamor417Nov 8, 2015
A handsome thriller with plot twists that don't always make sense, "The Two Faces of January," moves slowly, but ultimately entertains.

Watch this movie here for freeA handsome thriller with plot twists that don't always make sense, "The Two Faces of January," moves slowly, but ultimately entertains.

Watch this movie here for free http://www.watchfree.to/watch-29f3e5-The-Two-Faces-of-January-movie-online-free-putlocker.html… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
TrailesqueJul 1, 2020
If you complain that they don't make them like they used to, then you will like this classic suspense film set in 1962, an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel. A prosperous looking couple hires a slippery young man to be their tourIf you complain that they don't make them like they used to, then you will like this classic suspense film set in 1962, an adaptation of a Patricia Highsmith novel. A prosperous looking couple hires a slippery young man to be their tour guide during a visit to Greece. But things start going awry when the older gentleman turns out to be a con artist on the run. The emotional core of the film is the tension - and the connection - between the two men, and the fact that there is an attraction between the younger man and the older man's wife. Good music, acting, camera, and Mediterranean locations.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
geewahMar 30, 2021
This Hitchcock inspired thriller is big on plot twists but does lose it's way a bit in the final act and at times seems a tad overstylised.
Still an entertaining enough flick.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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