The Two Faces of January

***
UK Red 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.

Director: Hossein Amini

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, Oscar Isaac

Set in 1960's Athens, it fundamentally draws us in to the lives of three people; Rydal (Isaac) an American ex-pat and con-artist who attaches himself to mysterious couple Chester (Mortensen) and Colette MacFarland (Dunst). For the most part this iffy love triangle are on the run. Rydal is caught up in Chester's dodgy past, and the more infatuated he becomes with Colette, the harder it is for him to escape the crimes that surround him.

The Two Faces of January is supposed to be a suspense thriller, but lacks any real suspense. There's plenty of depth and backstory to the trio, but you never quite feel the pain they go through. They not the easiest characters to relate to, as a con-artist and a murderer deserve whatever fate comes to them. Colette is the most innocent of the three. Rydal and Chester's trust is always questioned, whilst Colette is the unaware catalyst.

When the story finally starts to heat up, our minds are already wondering what the outcome of this film will be. There's a few surprise twists, but no time for grief, as director Hossein Amini decides to take a different turn and lead us on a cat and mouse chase. Hitchcock fans will love this especially, as by the end we are left out of their plans as they shape the course of the finale with actions rather than spoken words.

The Two Faces of January doesn't quite grip you when it needs to. The cast is faultless, it's just missing the response from the audience that you grow to expect from a suspense-thriller.