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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Autumn 2014

The Two Faces of January (2014) movie review

Classic Crime From the Pen of a Master

Patricia Highsmith penned some iconographic stories, including Strangers on Train and The Talented Mr Ripley. In The Two Faces of January, Highsmith's book is brought to the screen in its original 1960s time period.

Rydal (Oscar Isaac) is a bit of a rogue. An expat American from an Academic family who is making his living in Athens as a tour guide who makes a bit extra short-changing his clients. He befriends a wealth couple (Viggo Mortensen and Kirsten Dunst) and finds himself with them on the run when the man kills someone in his hotel room.

Movie poster, The Two Faces of January, Festivale film review; 220x324

Movie poster, The Two Faces of January

This is a classic suspense/thriller, concentrating on the trio, not the police who are seeking them. Will they escape, or won't they? Will Ryal step over the line with the young wife? Thoughtful, rather than heart-pumping action and screaming music. A return to the thinking-person's crime.

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by Ali Kayn
Australian release 19 June 2014
For credits and official site details, see below
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Just the facts:

Title: The Two Faces of January (2014)
Written by: Hossein Amini (screenplay), Patricia Highsmith (novel)
Directed by: Hossein Amini
Running time: 96 min
Rating: M

The Players: Kirsten Dunst, Viggo Mortensen, Oscar Isaac

Official website: http://www.thetwofacesofjanuary.com/uk/
IMDb entry

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