The Two Faces of January, 2014.
Directed by Hossein Amini.
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac.
SYNOPSIS:
A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues between a con man, his wife and an enigmatic young stranger.
Patricia Highsmith’s novels have been the source of many great adaptations from Strangers on a Train to The Talented Mr Ripley; and now comes the adaptation of The Two Faces of January. Set in 1962 it follows married couple Chester MacFarland (Mortensen) and Collette MacFarland (Dunst) as they attempt to run away from Chester’s numerous bad investments and cons in the states. A chance meeting in Athens with the quick witted American tour guide Rydell (a superbly cast Oscar Isaac) leads them on a dangerous path after Chester accidentally kills a Private Detective.
The first thing to say about this taut thriller is that it is a beautiful film to watch. From it’s opening shots of various tourist attractions throughout Athens to the crowded markets, sleepy villages and abandoned ruins in Knossos it is a treat for the eyes. Everything looks exactly how you would imagine for the 1960s, and it’s a world that encapsulates you from the moment the film begins.
But this is the story of two men and their power struggle and they are played expertly by Viggo Mortensen and Oscar Isaac. The two actors are convincing as the two faces of the same coin and as the film continues and both similarities and differences become intertwined until at the end you’re unsure what will become of the young Rydell (Isaac). As the film progresses their clothes become similar and they share the same facial expressions. But at the same time Amini portrays a distinct sense of separation between the two. As they exit a boat, both walk off on separate steps and go into separate lines, they always sit opposite each other and never side by side. It’s this imagery and power struggle that makes The Two Faces of January an intriguing film to watch.
However, at 96 minutes running time it does feel that Amini rushes the film and there isn’t enough time to delve fully into these characters. We never find out why MacFarland is a con man, we don’t know why Rydell won’t go back to America and Kirsten Dunst’s unfortunate wife Collette isn’t given much to work with. It left me wondering about Highsmith’s source novel and whether these questions were answered in there and were deliberately left out. Either way, the short running time does make the ending feel quite rushed and a last minute epiphany from Chester feels unbelievable.
The Two Faces of January is a good film to watch for the central performances from Mortensen and Isaac. You never know exactly what the other one is thinking and the way their conversations escalate and the power shifts continually back between the two is gripping and intense. It is also one of the most beautiful films I’ve seen all year from the burning sun over Athens to the cold dark underbelly of Knossos. Amini pulls you right into the world these two characters inhabit; it’s just a shame that we never get to discover who they really are.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Helen Murdoch
Originally published May 18, 2014. Updated April 12, 2018.
