THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY - Tuesday 24th June 2014

Back to my favourite movie theatre last night - the Cremorne Orpheum Picture Palace, to see recently released 'THE TWO FACES OF JANUARY' based on a Patricia Highsmith novel first released in 1964. The scene is set and we are escorted back to 1962 Athens and straightaway we have a film that feels of that era - character driven, sharp suits, stylish locales, sun drenched scenery, glamorous couple, playful rogue and thoughtful dialogue. Almost Hitchcockian, but written and Directed by Hossein Amini in his first such outing, following his penning of the impressive 'Drive'.

Here he has assembled Viggo Mortensen and wife Kirsten Dunst (Chester and Colette MacFarland respectively) and Oscar Isaac (as Rydal) - the three linchpins of this tale. Holidaying Long Island residents husband and wife Chester and Colette meet US tour guide to the hapless tourists, Rydal, in the vicinity of The Acropolis, and so begins an unlikely relationship that unfolds over a week or so between Athens, Crete and Istanbul.

Following 24 hours or so of social niceties and tours of the real Athens, Rydal inadvertently catches Chester in a somewhat compromising position. What ensues is an unfolding story of misdemeanours, misadventures and mistrust as we get to know the three protagonists, and they all seek to gain the upper hand for fear of exposure, and the consequences that would inevitably follow. Out of desperation the action takes us from Athens via ferry boat to Crete where further misfortune awaits, and then onto Istanbul for the final chapter and the conclusion of the story.

The plot here is engaging enough, the acting is solid and believable, the screen lights up with images of ancient Mediterranean lands, but I did feel that at times this plodded somewhat. Not to the point of boredom, but almost predictability! This film is condensed into a running time of just 96 minutes, and it passed by quickly, but I wanted more! We get just the bare nuggets of character back story which could have been fleshed out a little more, and when the long arm of the law eventually catches up with them I was left wondering almost, how? Viggo Mortensen plays it solidly as he always does (think 'LOTR', 'A History of Violence' and 'Eastern Promises') and he would be one of my favourites - constantly chewing on a dart here and swilling back the Whisky - he does it so well, and really inhabits his character.

All of that said, it is enjoyable enough and it presents well on the big screen and there are a lot of positives here that do outweigh the less so. You don't need to see this on the big screen and can easily wait for the dvd/Blu-Ray in a few months.

As a foot note, films like this don't seem to get made so often anymore, and as such it is worthy of your viewing as a throw back to those of that era - good story, exotic locations, good acting, believable characters and enough suspense and intrigue to maintain your attention.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-