Screenwriter-turned-director Hossein Amini here adapts Patricia Highsmith's 1964 thriller, centering on three Americans who become hopelessly entangled in Europe. In 1962, photogenic couple Chester (Viggo Mortensen) and Colette MacFarland (Kirsten Dunst) are visiting Athens, where they meet fellow American tour guide Rydal (Oscar Issac), whom they hire. Rydal, who speaks Greek, has been seeing a young tourist (Daisy Bevan), but he has eyes for Colette, who seems equally interested. Much like Highsmith's infamous Ripley character, Rydal's attractive appearance disguises threadbare finances and petty schemes. Just as the MacFarlands are preparing to leave the country, Chester scuffles with a detective and leaves him near death. Rydal helps him to move the body, secure fake passports, and make a speedy exit. As the three travel through Crete, Rydal and Colette grow closer, while Chester becomes increasingly jealous and belligerent, leading him to threaten Rydal with exposure as an accomplice. An atmospheric psychological thriller with a charismatic cast and evocative location filming, this is recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (6 min.), bloopers (4 min.), the production featurettes “Traveling in Style” (3 min.), “Shooting the Odyssey” (3 min.), and “A Twist on the Classic Thriller” (3 min.), an AXS TV segment (3 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine psychological thriller.] (K. Fennessy)
The Two Faces of January
Magnolia, 97 min., PG-13, DVD: $26.98, Blu-ray: $29.98, Jan. 13 Volume 30, Issue 2
The Two Faces of January
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