A sun-dappled backdrop against which intrigue, murder and romance play out sounds right up our alley, and certainly, the associated names with “The Two Faces of January” are impressive. It’s based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith (“The Talented Mr. Ripley“), is written and directed by Hossein Amini (the guy who penned “Drive“) and it features three excellent leads: Oscar Isaac, Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortensen. And certainly, this first clip from the film shows some promise.
The 1962-set story follows an elegant and beautiful American couple, vacationing in Greece, who get mixed up in a murder and must rely on the assistance of a shady young tour guide. The film has a great premise to work from, but does it all come together? According to our Jessica Kiang, it doesn’t, writing in her review from the Berlin Film Festival that ultimately, the movie is “a slack, minor entry in the Highsmith canon.” Bummer.
But as always, see for yourself when it opens later this year. Below you’ll find the clip, plus a new TV spot, pics and posters. “The Two Faces of January” opens in the U.K. on May 16th. No domestic date has been set just yet.
