Romance, Original Language: Chester lures Rydal into an underground labyrinth and knocks him out. Mortensen and Isaac are hindered by Amini's method, but ultimately it's Dunst who feels its effects most. The result is a film which feels competent, but not passionate or original. They also drink often, and one gets quite drunk on multiple occasions, triggering bouts of anger and jealousy. A thriller set in Greece and Istanbul 1962 and adapted from Patricia Highsmiths novel. A recent acquaintance, a young American law graduate and poet named Rydal Keener, decides to help them, in part because McFarland reminds him of his recently deceased father, from whom he was estranged. For capturing the look and feel of Europe in the early 1960s, especially of the American expatriates who roamed the continent, THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY deserves kudos. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Now a major film starring Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac (Drive, Inside Llewelyn Davis). WebAn atmospheric noir thriller, The Two Faces of January is full of suspense and mystery. A suspenseful look at a not-so-traditional few days in Greece during the 1960s. Parents need to know that The Two Faces of January is a stylish thriller set in Greece and Turkey in the early 1960s. What was in it for him at that point? [9][10][11], 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. While the first episode hones in on Saras double life it quickly becomes clear throughout season 2 that shes not the only one hiding her true self. 659. Privacy Policy The sunny landscape becomes shaded with suspicion, deception and sexual jealousy as the trio take flight. Eric Fellner, The rather curious title refers to the connection between the month of January in which the story unfolds and the Roman god Janus in whose honour the Romans named the month. A fist fight becomes a deadly encounter, and an argument between a husband and wife takes a surprising and tragic twist. Keener goes into hiding from the police, while MacFarland procures another false passport and books a flight to Paris. Keep streaming the screams all February long with Shudder's scary new additions. Jack English/Magnolia Pictures When the film begins, we're It's certainly not badly made, but it felt like there should have been a twist or something at the end, and there just wasn't. And loads of credit to the entire cast: Dunst is strong, and Isaac is a fine match for Mortensen. They travel to a small town where they hope no one will notice them, waiting for Rydals friend to obtain and deliver the new passports for them. Families can talk about the characters in The Two Faces of January. Want suggestions based on your streaming services? As Chester is carrying the body to the detective's hotel room, Rydal finds him in the corridor. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! WebThe worldview of THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY is strongly moral. Depicted as having two faces Janus is said to symbolize both past and future as well as the transition from one stage to the next. Be the first to review this title. 779, This story has been shared 659 times. Photograph: Studio Canal/Sportsphoto/Allstar. The MacFarlands invite him to dinner. We never fully get a grip on what lengths Viggo Mortensen's character is able to go, and the romantic overtones between Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac never ring true. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. However, MacFarland is unaware that the "hitman", whom he pays in advance, is in fact a florist whom Keener paid to set him up. One of the men. Nonetheless, what a journey for the trio. 1,146, This story has been shared 885 times. At the Acropolis, they meet Rydal Keener, an American who is alienated from his family. (modern), Sunny landscapes shaded with suspicion Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst in The Two Faces of January. Sternberg developed the project with Amini and it found the backing by StudioCanal and Working Title. the Terms and Policies, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. "[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]. Producer Tom Sternberg optioned the rights to the novel and originally set up a project with the production company Mirage. A first screen adaptation of the novel was filmed in Germany in 1986, as Die zwei Gesichter des Januar. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. Its pace was fluid yet methodical, and the overall direction was tight and focused. See production, box office & company info. It was written and directed by Hossein Amini, and starred Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac. Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Do you trust any of them? They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Its also where the term two-faced comes from. This particular edition is in a Paperback format. A policeman shoots Chester who, as he lies dying, confesses his responsibility for both deaths. Crime, glamour and sexual intrigue combine in this Patricia Highsmith adaptation set in 1960s Athens, starring Kirsten Dunst, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Edited by Liz O. Baylen and Mike Benoist. This handsome young man insists on helping you and your husband cover up a crime and you dont think he might have ulterior motives towards you or the money? Thats not the world in January which seems incapable of humor or irony. As hes moving the body down the hall back to the PIs room, he runs into Rydal, returning a bracelet that Colette had left in the cab theyd shared. You can help us help kids by Based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith who also wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley the story revolves around a married couple and a young American guide they meet. and the What impact does that have on modern viewers? The chemistry between the three leads, who are all well played, does lack fizz and there is a clumsy and rather hackneyed third act. Tim Bevan, Mythological themes are neatly worked in, from Theseus to Oedipus, but Amini primarily draws on another classical tradition here: Anthony Minghella, and his own Highsmith adaptation, The Talented Mr Ripley. . Did you know you can flag iffy content? That said, I was a little disappointed. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Two_Faces_of_January&oldid=1147927505, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 April 2023, at 02:27. They hastily pack their suitcases and flee the hotel with Rydal but without checking out, leaving their passports at the front desk. Happy Valentine's Day! All rights reserved. What the film lacked for me, however, was a heart. [2] Writing in The New York Times, Anthony Boucher called it "an offbeat, provocative and absorbing suspense novel".[3]. Sunny landscapes shaded with suspicion For the director it all began when he was just a child and used to visit Greece almost every summer holiday with his family. Watch The Two Faces Of January: You Coming With Me? Rated PG-13 (violence, profanity, smoking). The music tries too hard to be exciting, almost as if the director thinks the visuals need some extraneous help to keep the audience interested. It is based on Patricia Highsmith s 1964 novel The Two Faces of January and stars Viggo Mortensen Kirsten Dunst and Oscar Isaac. ", Personality Crisis: One Night Only Finds Punk Pioneer David Johansen Recounting His Many Lives, Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Legacy of J Dilla' on FX/Hulu, Exploring The Life, Beats, And Career Of The Late Hip-Hop Hero, Stream It Or Skip It: Little Richard: I Am Everything on VOD, A Biodoc As Vibrant As Its Subject, Stream It Or Skip It: Dear Mama on FX, A Powerfully-Told Docuseries About The Life and Legacy of Tupac Shakur, Stream It Or Skip It: 'Peter Pan and Wendy' on Disney+, Director David Lowery's Lightly Visionary Disney Rehash, Where Was Peter Pan and Wendy Filmed? Lies have a way of catching up with people -- and the more lies they tell, the more they come back to haunt them. Solid in many ways, not particularly memorable. After this past year of COVID isolation traveling from the sofa is better than no travel at all and the magnificent ruins and sites allow one to feel like a tourist as the film was shot on location in both. Nonetheless, what a journey for the trio. Filming Locations for the Disney+ Movie, Alexander Molony Is the Perfect Blend of Charming and Naive in Disney+s Peter Pan & Wendy, What Time Will 'Peter Pan & Wendy' Be on Disney+? Somehow, they both seem culpable. Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! An atmospheric noir thriller, The Two Faces of January is full of suspense and mystery. Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst star as a married couple travelling through Greece, but when they're discovered by a P.I. they enlist the help of a local tour guide to get them new passports and escape the country. Rydal (Oscar Isaac) is a young American trying to find himself in Greece in 1962, working as a tour guide who doesn't mind making a dishonest buck or two off naive tourists. At the AMC Empire 25 and the Landmark Sunshine. Coming Soon. Common Sense and other associated names and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN: 41-2024986). A sun-splashed noir that loses its appeal in the last act, The Two Faces of January is an adaptation of a novel by Patricia Highsmith, who explored similar ground in The Talented Mr. Ripley.. Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst in The Two Faces of January. Sunny Hostin Opens Up About Receiving Hurtful Emails on The View: Im Not Liked By Half The Country, Sunny Hostin Shades Meghan McCain for Scathing Column About 'The View': "Our Show Is a Wonderful Place", Sunny Hostin Rips Nikki Haley on 'The View' for Suggesting Biden Could Die During Second Term: "Crass", Joy Behar Tears Into Republican Lawmakers' "Transphobia" on 'The View': "It's Not Even Undercover Anymore". Unfortunately the PI ends up dead and now Chester and Colette are on the run. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Looking to watch The Two Faces of January? By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Rydal arranges for false passports to replace those left behind and suggests waiting for the counterfeit documents in Crete. In 1962, New York con man Chester MacFarland and his wife Colette are touring Greece. An atmospheric noir thriller, The Two Faces of January is full of suspense and mystery. None of the three main characters is who they seemExpect a good deal of drinking. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. [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. It premiered in February 2014 in the Berlinale Special Galas section of the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.[4]. A Tourists Guide to Love Filming Locations: Where Was the Rachael Leigh Cook Movie Filmed? We soon discover that Chester is also a con, but of a much higher level hes invested hundreds of peoples money into stocks that didnt exist, and this vacation in Europe is actually an escape from his more criminally inclined victims. He finds both in Mortensen and Dunst's holidaying couple, but their casual acquaintance gets serious after a sudden murder. The trio take a flight to Crete and install themselves in a hotel under assumed names. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. She comes off as a young woman who married Chester because he was rich and could give her a life shed only dreamed about. Hossein Amini, Producer: While there, the mutual attraction between Rydal and Colette continues to develop, much to Chester's frustration. Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. A few scenes include sudden, unexpected violence. Soon the two men find themselves partners in a much more serious crime, though. This special edition includes a foreword by director and screenwriter Hossein Amini. WebThe Two Faces of January: watch an exclusive clip starring Kirsten Dunst video Watch an exclusive clip from a thriller based on Patricia Highsmith's novel and starring Viggo [7] Identifiable locations include the Kk Hasan mosque on Chania harbour, a nearby caf and the Grand Arsenal in Plateia Katehaki, the ruins of Knossos near Iraklion, and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. So, this is where I have a problem: I never believed that Rydal was attracted to Colette. Common Sense Media Reviewers The Decider team shares what we've been watching this week. limited, Release Date (Streaming): The story is set in the early 1960s first in Greece and then in Turkey. The Two Faces of January is the first long feature Amini has directed the executive producer is Max Minghella the son of Anthony Minghella who died in 2008 at the age of 54. , There are several types of intervention which can come from, 1920x1080 2560x1440 and 3840x2160. Rydal cant get through customs without Chester pretending to be his father; Chester slips him at the airport and books a flight to Istanbul instead of the agreed upon Frankfurt; Rydal is captured by the police and is given the task of getting a confession from Chester about Colettes death, in exchange for his freedom. No simulated sex; one brief scene shows a woman ch, The two male leads smoke cigarettes heavily, in al, Parents need to know that The Two Faces of January is a stylish thriller set in Greece and Turkey in the early 1960s. Chester, on the other hand, is pristinely put together but barely controlled just below the surface. His newest clients, a wealthy New York couple played by Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst, seem as genteel as you can get until Rydal discovers the man in a compromising position that has them on the lam. Two Faces of January Ending Explained. Back in Athens, MacFarland is interviewed by the police, and states that Keener murdered Colette. Chester MacFarland: I'm sorry I disappointed you. Stylish thriller set in '60s Greece has drinking, smoking. Showing all 12 items Jump to. Kirsten Dunst Viggo Mortensen Pitti Uomo Street Style Kirsten Dunst Mens Outfits. . How to Watch the Live-Action 'Peter Pan'. Streaming Schedule, Season 5, Part 2 Debut Info, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved, New Shows & Movies To Watch This Weekend: Netflix's 'Murder Mystery 2' + More, Whats New On Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, And HBO This Weekend: 'Logan Lucky', 'Mozart in the Jungle', 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver', And More, What's New On Shudder February 2018: 'Tenebrae,' 'Honeymoon,' 'The Haunting In Connecticut,' And More, Decider Streamline: What To Stream This Week, Egyptian Government Says Cleopatra Had "White Skin" In Response To Netflix Documentary Casting Controversy, 'Citadel' on Prime Video Review: Sleek, Sexy Storytelling Elevates This Shamelessly Fun Spy Drama, James Corden Gets Hit by a Car While Yelling "I'm a Star" in Final 'Crosswalk the Musical'. Filming took place on location in Greece and Turkey, and at Ealing Studios in London. This books publish date is Dec 05, 1978. But the film is never less than engaging and all the better for not resorting to surprise twists. In fact, I kind of thought that Rydal was more interested in Chester, not necessarily romantically, but we learn of his daddy issues very early on (he didnt attend his fathers recent funeral) and Chester is old enough to be his father. There's also occasional swearing (including "s--t" and "f--k"), an undercurrent of sexual tension among the characters, and lots and lots of era-accurate smoking. Chester MacFarland is an alcoholic con artist traveling in Greece with his young wife, Colette. hide caption. WebThe Two Faces Of January It is Athens in 1962. Somewhat mysteriously the title of The Two Faces of January is never explained in the crisp minor sometimes intensely pleasing psychological thriller that comes attached to it. Edited by Anita Badejo and Marc Georges. It is unlikely that a tour guide would not know how to recount the legend properly. We wont be able to verify your ticket today, but its great to know for the future. Sep 26, 2014 $506.1K, Runtime: Hosted by Sabrina Tavernise. Copyright Fandango. Produced by Will Reid and Michael Simon Johnson. Your privacy is important to us. Parents need to know that The Two Faces of January is a stylish thriller set in Greece and Turkey in the early 1960s. But it lives or dies on its ending, and the final minutes here dont jibe with the rest of the films cat-and-cat game. Get to know the'Ex Machina' and 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' star on streaming. Rydal, thinking the PI is just unconscious, agrees to help Chester and Colette leave the hotel and obtain new passports so they can leave the country. Based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith (who also wrote The Talented Mr. Ripley), the story revolves around a married couple and a young American guide they meet; none of the three. 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A private detective comes to his hotel room demanding payment on behalf of a group who were swindled by Chester when he lived in the U.S. After a brief tussle, the detective ends up dead on the bathroom floor. Yet even though The Two Faces of January doesn't quite live-up to expectations, it still manages to deliver a compelling tale of deception and betrayal. The characters in The Two Faces of January are cut from that same amoral cloth. The men are quick to irrational displays of emotion and jealousy, and though the women are more level-headed, they are also complicit in the evils those men do. Nonbinary 'Yellowjackets' Star Liv Hewson Is Sitting out of Emmy Season Over Gendered Categories, 'Yellowjackets' Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: Digging the Antler Queen, Drew Barrymore Opens up About Up Close and Personal Interview Style: "I Feel This Magnetic Pull", Why Isn't 'The Drew Barrymore Show' on Today? WebThe Two Faces of January. And ultimately, while Rydal, too, may be on the run from his past, his past may not be so sinister. Adapted from a lesser-known novel by the same author Patricia Highsmith the new film is out on Friday 16 May. The best part of the film, for me, was the cat and mouse game in the end where both men clearly want to destroy each other, but one getting arrested means the same fate for the other. The Two Faces of January 2014 Filming Production. In the beginning Rydal recounts the legend of Aegeus on the steps of the Acropolis and says that it was there that Aegeus jumped to his death after his son, Theseus returned from Crete and forgot to change the black sails to white to denote his success. Working Title Films, Now Streaming: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Inherent Vice, and More, Now Streaming: John Wick, Frank, and More, Critics Consensus: The Boxtrolls, The Equalizer, Fall TV, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. A thriller centered on a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective. Filming Locations 11 Filming Dates 1 Filming Locations. Common Sense Media Reviewer He follows Chester to Athens, where the he two realize that they are bound together by two deaths. Its the early 1960s. They both slip the police and the most tense scene in the film emerges a foot chase through the streets of Istanbul. The UK-based Crime Writers Association named The Two Faces of January the Best Crime Novel (foreign) for 1964. Are you single? 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. Its title alludes to the two faces of the Roman god Janus, after whom the month of January was named. I mainly watched for Kirsten Dunst. MacFarland learns from his accomplices that he is wanted in the U.S. over a Ponzi scheme. September 25, 2014. Cinemark According to the legend Aegeus was waiting for the ships to arrive at Cape Sounion and when he saw the black sails he plunged into the sea (which is called the Aegean Sea after him). WebIt also lacks the kind of sophisticated ending befitting the rest of the story. [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". The Two Faces of January represents an interesting exercise in a romantic thriller, one with promising characters and talented leads, yet with an ultimate ho-hum execution which makes it a rather unremarkable entry to the genre. [13] Peter DeBruge of Variety wrote that Amini "expertly blends touches of Hitchcock and Highsmith". Where Was 'John Mulaney: Baby J' on Netflix Filmed? By Peter Travers. I wasnt sure who to root for. Is 'Are You There God? WebDirected by Chad Stahelski, the fourth installment of the John Wick franchise focuses on the assassin's ultimate calling, beating The High Table once and for all. The month of January is named after Janus the Roman god of transitions beginnings gates doors doorways passages and endings and as such is usually portrayed with two faces one looking to the future and the other to the past. Read critic reviews. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story: Season 1, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to RT25: Celebrating 25 Years of Rotten Tomatoes, Link to Prime Video Acquires J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves. Here's When It Returns With New Episodes, Drew Barrymore Halts Segment After "Severely Old" Mac and Cheese Noodle Flies off Her Desk: "It's Rock Hard", Drew Barrymore Opens Up to Madison Beer About Attempting Suicide Twice: "I Was So Desperate", This story has been shared 10,010 times.
