Editing Face/Off

{{Short description|1997 film by John Woo}}
{{Other uses|Face Off (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Face/Off
| image          = FaceOff poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[John Woo]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[David Permut]]
* [[Barrie M. Osborne]]
* [[Terence Chang]]
* Christopher Godsick
}}
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mike Werb]]
* [[Michael Colleary]]
}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[John Travolta]]
* [[Nicolas Cage]]
* [[Joan Allen]]
* [[Gina Gershon]]
* [[Alessandro Nivola]]
}}<!-- Per poster billing block. -->
| music          = [[John Powell (film composer)|John Powell]]
| cinematography = [[Oliver Wood (cinematographer)|Oliver Wood]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Christian Wagner]]
* Steven Kemper
}}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[Touchstone Pictures]]
* [[David Permut|Permut Presentations]]
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paramount Pictures]]<br />(North America)
* [[Buena Vista International]] (international)
}}
| released       = {{Film date|1997|06|27|United States}}
| runtime        = 139 minutes<ref>{{Cite web|last=BBFC|title=Face/off|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/face-off-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmta5mjg|access-date=2021-01-02|website=www.bbfc.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=January 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102161654/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/face-off-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmta5mjg|url-status=live}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $80&nbsp;million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=faceoff.htm |title=Face/Off (1997) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=August 29, 1997 |access-date=January 14, 2012 |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127075734/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=faceoff.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $245.7&nbsp;million<ref name="mojo"/>
}}
'''''Face/Off''''' is a 1997 American [[science fiction action film]]{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref>{{cite web|title= THE ORAL HISTORY OF FACE/OFF, NICOLAS CAGE'S INEXPLICABLE SCI-FI MASTERPIECE |website= [[Inverse (website)|Inverse]] |date= June 27, 2022 |access-date= 28 June 2022 |url= https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/face-off-oral-history/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Caitlin |last= Chappell |title= How the Adam Project's Face/Off Reference Came to Be |website= [[Comic Book Resources]] |date= 16 March 2022 |access-date= 28 June 2022 |url= https://www.cbr.com/adam-project-face-off-reference-explained/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Paul |last= Martinovic |title= Face/Off is Still The Craziest Action Film of Its Era |website= [[Den of Geek]] |date= 27 June 2019 |access-date= 28 June 2022 |url= https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/faceoff-is-still-the-craziest-action-film-of-its-era/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= John |last= Squires |title= Adam Wingard Updates on 'Face/Off' Sequel; Will Nicolas Cage Return? |website= [[Bloody Disgusting]] |date= 7 June 2022 |access-date= 28 June 2022 |url= https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3718274/adam-wingard-updates-on-face-off-sequel-will-nicolas-cage-return/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Grant |last= Hermanns |title= Face/Off 2 Update Shared By Nicolas Cage |website= [[Screen Rant]] |date= 3 May 2022 |access-date= 28 June 2022 |url= https://screenrant.com/face-off-2-movie-updates-nicolas-cage/}}</ref>}} directed by [[John Woo]], from a screenplay by [[Mike Werb]] and [[Michael Colleary]]. It stars [[John Travolta]] as an [[FBI]] agent and [[Nicolas Cage]] as a terrorist, who undergo an experimental surgery to swap their faces and identities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |date=June 27, 1997 |title=John Travolta and Nicolas Cage get under each other's skin-—literally-—in John Woo's return to form, 'Face/Off' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-27-ca-7249-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204071925/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-27/entertainment/ca-7249_1_john-woo |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |access-date=November 6, 2010 |work=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |authorlink=Kenneth Turan}}</ref>

The film co-stars [[Joan Allen]], [[Gina Gershon]], and [[Alessandro Nivola]], and features [[Dominique Swain]], [[Nick Cassavetes]], [[Harve Presnell]], [[Colm Feore]], [[CCH Pounder]], and [[Thomas Jane]] in supporting roles. Principal photography began on January 4, 1997 in [[Los Angeles]], and wrapped on April 1. The film score was composed by [[John Powell (film composer)|John Powell]].

''Face/Off'' was the first [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] film in which Woo was given major creative control. It earned critical acclaim for the performances by Cage and Travolta and its stylized action sequences. The film earned $245&nbsp;million worldwide, making it the [[1997 in film|11th highest-grossing film of 1997]], and was nominated for an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] for [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Sound Effects Editing]] ([[Mark Stoeckinger]] and [[Per Hallberg]]) at the [[70th Academy Awards]].

Since its release, the film gained a strong [[Cult film|cult following]] and it is considered by many as one of Woo's best films.<ref>{{cite web |first=Andrew |last=Taylor |url=https://collider.com/face-off-john-woo-best-hollywood-movie-the-killer/ |title='Face/Off' Went Full John Woo by Channeling His Classic 'The Killer' |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=June 27, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |
first=Andrew|last=McGrotty |url=https://movieweb.com/john-woo-best-movies/ | title=Best John Woo Movies, Ranked | website=[[MovieWeb]] |date=April 14, 2022 }}</ref>

==Plot==
[[FBI Special Agent]] Sean Archer survives an assassination attempt by Castor Troy, a terrorist-for-hire, but the bullet kills his son Michael. Archer then engages in an extended vendetta against Troy. It culminates, six years later, in his team ambushing Troy, who is with his younger brother and accomplice, Pollux, on a remote desert airstrip. Troy goads Archer by saying he knows of a bomb that is located somewhere in Los Angeles and is set to explode in a few days. Before Archer can learn more, Troy is knocked unconscious and falls into a coma. Pollux, in custody, affirms that the bomb is real but refuses to reveal its location.

In secret, Archer reluctantly undergoes a highly experimental [[face transplant]] procedure by Dr. Malcolm Walsh to take on Castor Troy's face, voice, and appearance. Archer-as-Troy is taken to the same high-security prison where Pollux is being held in order to obtain information on the bomb's location. Troy unexpectedly awakens from his coma and discovers that his face is missing. He calls his gang, and they force Dr. Walsh to transplant Archer's face onto him. Meanwhile, Archer successfully learns the bomb's location from Pollux before being informed that he has a visitor. Anticipating a reunion with his colleagues and a return to his normal life, Archer instead finds Troy wearing his face. Upon revealing he has murdered everyone else who knows about the face transplant, Troy gleefully informs Archer that he looks forward to running his FBI career and ravishing his wife.

Pollux is freed when he willingly tells Troy-as-Archer of the bomb's location, and Troy subsequently disarms the bomb. Troy earns admiration from the FBI office and becomes close to Archer's wife Eve and daughter Jamie, whom Archer had been neglecting while seeking to avenge the death of his son. Back at the prison, Archer-as-Troy escapes after staging a riot and retreats to Troy's headquarters. There, he meets Sasha, the sister of Troy's primary drug kingpin Dietrich Hassler, and her son Adam, who reminds him of Michael. Archer discovers that Adam is Troy's son. Troy learns of Archer's escape and hastily assembles a team to raid his headquarters.

The raid turns into a bloodbath and many FBI agents and several members of Troy's gang, including Dietrich and Pollux, are killed. Archer, Sasha, and Adam all manage to escape. In the aftermath of the raid, Archer's supervisor, Director Victor Lazarro, angrily lambasts Troy-as-Archer for the unnecessary bloodshed he caused. Troy, still furious over Pollux's death, murders Lazarro and is subsequently promoted to acting director in his place. Meanwhile, after taking Sasha and Adam to a safe location, Archer-as-Troy approaches Eve and convinces her to test Troy-as-Archer's blood to confirm his identity. After testing the blood and being convinced that the man wearing her husband's face is in fact an imposter, Eve tells Archer that Troy will be vulnerable at Lazarro's funeral.

At the ceremony, Troy has taken Eve hostage. Sasha arrives, and a gunfight ensues; Sasha manages to save Eve after taking a bullet. Archer promises a dying Sasha that he will take care of Adam and raise him away from criminal life. Troy briefly takes Jamie hostage, but she escapes by stabbing him with the [[butterfly knife]] that he lent her earlier for self-defense.

Troy is forced to escape and reaches the docks, where he commandeers a speedboat while Archer commandeers another one to pursuit. The chase ends when Archer forces Troy to the shore in a collision. With their boats grounded, the two proceed to fight to the death. Archer manages to corner Troy at gunpoint with a speargun, while Troy tries to disfigure Archer's face as a last attempt to defeat him. Archer kicks Troy, causing him to lose his grip on the gun and allowing Archer to finally kill him.

Backup agents arrive and address Archer by his name, having been convinced by Eve of Archer's true identity. After the face transplant surgery is reversed, Archer returns home, where he adopts Adam into his family, keeping his promise to Sasha.

==Cast==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[John Travolta]] as Sean Archer/Castor Troy
* [[Nicolas Cage]] as Castor Troy/Sean Archer
* [[Joan Allen]] as Eve Archer
* [[Alessandro Nivola]] as Pollux Troy
* [[Gina Gershon]] as Sasha Hassler
* [[Dominique Swain]] as Jamie Archer
* [[Nick Cassavetes]] as Dietrich Hassler
* [[Harve Presnell]] as Victor Lazarro
* [[Colm Feore]] as Dr. Malcolm Walsh
* [[John Carroll Lynch]] as Prison Guard Walton
* [[CCH Pounder]] as Hollis Miller
* [[Robert Wisdom]] as Tito Biondi
* [[Margaret Cho]] as Wanda Chang
* [[Thomas Jane]] as Burke Hicks
* [[James Denton]] as Buzz
* [[Tommy Flanagan (actor)|Tommy Flanagan]] as Leo
* [[Matt Ross (actor)|Matt Ross]] as Loomis
* [[Chris Bauer]] as Ivan Dubov
{{div col end}}

Other cast members in the film include [[Danny Masterson]] as Karl, Myles Jeffrey as Michael Archer, David McCurley as Adam Hassler, Romy Walthall as Kimberly, [[Paul Hipp]] as Fitch, [[Kirk Baltz]] as Aldo, [[Lisa Boyle]] as Cindee, Lauren Sinclair as Agent Winters, [[Steve Hytner]] as Agent Howell, [[David Warshofsky]] as a [[Bomb disposal|bomb squad]] officer, and [[Joe Bob Briggs|John Bloom]] as a prison [[Electroshock therapy|electroshock]] technician.

==Production==
''Face/Off'' was written by [[Mike Werb]] and [[Michael Colleary]] in 1990 as a [[spec script]]. They were inspired to write it after a mutual friend injured themselves in a hang-gliding accident. The injury required the friend’s face to be removed and reconstructed before being re-added onto their body. Werb and Colleary were also inspired by the film ''[[White Heat]]'' to create a plot where the main character survived a prison riot. ''Face/Off'' initially had a futuristic setting.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=1997 |title=Interviews: Produced Writer Mike Werb |url=http://www.writersupercenter.com/studionotes/interviews8.shtml |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=Writer Super Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Housman |first=Andrew |date=2022-03-23 |title=Believe It Or Not, Face/Off Could Have Been Even Weirder |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/807945/believe-it-or-not-faceoff-could-have-been-even-weirder/ |access-date=2024-02-27 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Face/Off'' was optioned to [[Joel Silver]] and [[Warner Bros.]] in 1991. The option expired in 1994 and the project was purchased by [[Paramount Pictures]]. American director and producer [[Rob Cohen]] was originally set to direct the film but when the project was in a [[Turnaround (filmmaking)|turnaround]] Cohen left to direct ''[[Dragonheart]]'' (1996).<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2017 |title=15 Peachy Facts About Face/Off |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65363/15-peachy-facts-about-faceoff |website=Mental Floss}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Ralph |date=June 27, 2022 |title=The oral history of 'Face/Off,' Nicolas Cage's inexplicable sci-fi masterpiece |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/face-off-oral-history/ |website=Inverse}}</ref> [[John Woo]] became attached in 1996.<ref name="Christopher Heard 2000">Christopher Heard. ''Ten thousand bullets: the cinema of John Woo''. Los Angeles: Lone Eagle Publ, 2000. {{ISBN|1-58065-021-X}}</ref> Various actor pairings were considered for the parts of Sean Archer and Castor Troy, such as [[Sylvester Stallone]] and [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]],  [[Michael Douglas]] and [[Harrison Ford]], and [[Alec Baldwin]] and [[Bruce Willis]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Phipps|first= Keith |author-link= |date= March 29, 2022 |title= Age of Cage:Four Decades of Hollywood Through One Singular Career|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7yIQEAAAQBAJ |publisher= Henry Holt and Company|chapter=8: Action Cage |isbn=9781250773036|quote=As various filmmakers considered the film, pairings like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Douglas and Harrison Ford, and Alec Baldwin and Bruce Willis, came and went.}}</ref>

[[Johnny Depp]] wanted to play Sean Archer but passed on the role after reading the script.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ralph |date=September 10, 2019 |title=A deep dive into 'Face/Off': The best, most absurd action film ever made |url=https://www.shortlist.com/news/a-deep-dive-into-face-off-the-most-absurd-and-best-action-film-ever-made/ |website=Shortlist}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Phipps|first= Keith |author-link= |date= March 29, 2022 |title= Age of Cage:Four Decades of Hollywood Through One Singular Career|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=7yIQEAAAQBAJ |publisher= Henry Holt and Company|chapter=8: Action Cage |isbn=9781250773036}}</ref> [[John Woo]] instead hired [[John Travolta]] and [[Nicolas Cage]] to play those characters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Face/Off Production Notes |work=Retro Ramble |date=January 15, 2017 |url=http://retroramble.blog/2017/01/15/face-off-1997-retro-ramble-review_and_podcast_episode/ |publisher=Retroramble |access-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716034014/http://retroramble.blog/2017/01/15/face-off-1997-retro-ramble-review_and_podcast_episode/ |url-status=live }}</ref>  [[Michael Douglas]] served as an executive producer. Werb and Colleary have cited ''[[White Heat]]'' (1949) as an influence on the plot.<ref name="Christopher Heard 2000"/> In preparation, Woo watched ''[[Seconds (1966 film)|Seconds]]'' (1966) directed by [[John Frankenheimer]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Liebenson |first=Donald |date=1997-07-18 |title=John Woo's video rentals |url=https://ew.com/article/1997/07/18/john-woos-video-rentals/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306232125/https://ew.com/article/1997/07/18/john-woos-video-rentals/ |archive-date=2021-03-06 |access-date=2025-03-28 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> With an $80 million production budget, ''Face/Off'' made heavy use of action set pieces including several violent shootouts and a boat chase filmed in the [[Greater Los Angeles|Los Angeles area]]. The boat scene at the end of the film was shot in [[San Pedro, Los Angeles|San Pedro]].<ref name="BoxOffice">{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=faceoff.htm|title=Face/Off|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=2007-06-05|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116044456/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=faceoff.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Calling the brothers [[Castor and Pollux]] is a reference to [[Greek mythology]]; Castor and Pollux are the twins transformed by the ancient Greek god [[Zeus]] into the constellation [[Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-movies-plots-given-away-by-characters-names |title=5 Character Names That Give Away Movie Plots |date=May 31, 2014 |access-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730170731/http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-movies-plots-given-away-by-characters-names/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Music==
{{Music ratings
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name="Review1">{{cite web |last=Ankeny |first=Jason |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/face-off-original-soundtrack-mw0000025855 |title=Review: Face/Off - John Powell |website=[[AllMusic]]. [[Rovi Corporation]] |access-date=2014-03-11 |archive-date=September 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926081735/http://www.allmusic.com/album/face-off-original-soundtrack-mw0000025855 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev2      =
| rev2Score =
}}
The ''Face/Off'' soundtrack was released by [[Hollywood Records]] on July 1, 1997, the week following the film's release.<ref name="CDU">{{cite web |url= http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1026465/a/face%2Foff.htm |title= Face/Off Soundtrack CD Album |website= [[CD Universe]] |access-date= 2014-03-11 |archive-date= March 12, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212139/http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1026465/a/face/off.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> This was the first film to be composed by [[John Powell (film composer)|John Powell]] and the score was produced by [[Hans Zimmer]].

{{Track listing
| headline        =
| extra_column    =
| total_length    = 41:42

| all_writing     =
| all_lyrics      =
| all_music       = [[John Powell (composer)|John Powell]], except as noted

| title1          = Face On
| note1           =
| writer1         =
| lyrics1         =
| music1          =
| extra1          =
| length1         = 4:57

| title2          = 80 Proof Rock
| note2           =
| writer2         =
| lyrics2         =
| music2          =
| extra2          =
| length2         = 4:29

| title3          = Furniture
| note3           =
| writer3         =
| lyrics3         =
| music3          =
| extra3          =
| length3         = 7:12

| title4          = The Golden Section Derma Lift
| note4           =
| writer4         =
| lyrics4         =
| music4          =
| extra4          =
| length4         = 3:15

| title5          = This Ridiculous Chin
| note5           =
| writer5         =
| lyrics5         =
| music5          =
| extra5          =
| length5         = 6:51

| title6          = No More Drugs for That Man
| note6           =
| writer6         =
| lyrics6         =
| music6          = John Powell, [[Gavin Greenaway]]
| extra6          =
| length6         = 7:27

| title7          = Hans' Loft
| note7           =
| writer7         =
| lyrics7         =
| music7          = John Powell, Gavin Greenaway
| extra7          =
| length7         = 3:34

| title8          = Ready for the Big Ride‚ Bubba
| note8           =
| writer8         =
| lyrics8         =
| music8          =
| extra8          =
| length8         = 3:53
}}

Several pieces of music and songs were used in the film but not included in the soundtrack. These include:
* "[[Hallelujah Chorus|Hallelujah]]" from oratorio ''[[Messiah (Handel)|Messiah]]'' – [[George Frideric Handel]]
* Pamina's Aria "Ach, ich fühl's" from "[[Die Zauberflöte]]" – [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]]
* "[[Preludes (Chopin)#24 Preludes, Op. 28|Prelude in D-flat]], Op. 28, No. 15" ("Raindrop") – [[Frédéric Chopin]]
* "[[Papa's Got a Brand New Bag]]" – [[James Brown]]
* "[[Over the Rainbow]]" ([[Harold Arlen]] and [[Yip Harburg]]) – [[Olivia Newton-John]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Olivia Newton-John - Over The Rainbow |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2qynHr7e6w |website=YouTube | date=September 2012 |access-date=5 March 2024}}</ref>
* "Christiansands" – [[Tricky (musician)|Tricky]]
* "[[Don't Lose Your Head (INXS song)|Don't Lose Your Head]]" – [[INXS]]
* "[[Miserere (Allegri)|''Miserere mei, Deus'' (VV.1-4 & 17-20)]]" – [[Gregorio Allegri]]

==Release==

===Home media===
''Face/Off'' was released on [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] [[DVD]] on October 7, 1998. A 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition DVD was released on September 11, 2007, and it was also released on the now-defunct [[HD DVD]] format on October 30, 2007, in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128557/article.html|title=New HD Disc Titles, New HD Disc Technology|work=[[PC World (magazine)|PC World]]|author=Perenson, Melissa J.|date=2007-01-18|access-date=2007-06-05|archive-date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184409/http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,128557/article.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The film was released on [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2007, by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment|Buena Vista Home Entertainment]], and was released in the United States on May 20, 2008, by [[Paramount Home Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Announcements/Breaking:_Paramount_Unveils_Blu-ray_Launch_Plans/1696 |title=Breaking: Paramount Unveils Blu-ray Launch Plans |website=High-Def Digest |date=2008-04-29 |access-date=2012-01-14 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717221924/http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Paramount/Disc_Announcements/Breaking:_Paramount_Unveils_Blu-ray_Launch_Plans/1696 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] by [[Kino Lorber]] in December 2023, featuring a new 4K scan of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=London |first=Rob |date=2023-10-04 |title=Nicolas Cage, John Travolta Thriller 'Face/Off' Gets 4K Blu-ray Full of Special Features |url=https://collider.com/face-off-4k-blu-ray-release-date/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==

===Box office===
''Face/Off'' was released in North America on June 27, 1997, and earned $23,387,530 on its opening weekend, ranking number one in the domestic box office ahead of ''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bismarck-tribune-hercules-not-stro/122303269/ |title='Hercules' not strong enough to edge 'Face/Off' |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512201131/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bismarck-tribune-hercules-not-stro/122303269/ |date=July 1, 1997 |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |page=13 |publisher=[[The Bismarck Tribune]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-30-ca-8310-story.html|title='Face/Off' Has Early Edge on 'Hercules'|last=Brennan|first=Judy|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=June 30, 1997|access-date=August 18, 2015}}</ref> It went on to become the 11th highest domestic and 14th worldwide grossing film of 1997, earning a domestic total of $112,276,146 and $133,400,000 overseas for a total of worldwide gross of $245,676,146.<ref name="mojo"/>

===Critical response===
{{Multiple image|total_width = 280
| image1       = John Travolta 1997.jpg
| alt1         = John Travolta in 1997
| image2       = Nicolas Cage Deauville 2013 2.jpg
| alt2         = Nicolas Cage at the Deauville American Film Festival in 2013
| footer       = John Travolta and Nicolas Cage received praise for their performances.
}}

The review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] records that 93% of 95 critical reviews were positive, with an average rating of 7.80/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "John Travolta and Nicolas Cage play cat-and-mouse (and literally play each other) against a beautifully stylized backdrop of typically elegant, over-the-top John Woo violence."<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|faceoff|Face/Off|access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film received a score of 82 out of 100 from 26 critics.<ref>{{Metacritic film|title=Face/Off|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |access-date= December 27, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= December 20, 2018 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

The role reversal between Travolta and Cage was a subject of praise, as were the stylized, violent action sequences. Critic [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film three stars out of four and remarked the basic plot concept was "utterly absurd", but Woo's inventive direction along with clever performances made the film entertaining: "Here, using big movie stars and asking them to play each other, Woo and his writers find a terrific counterpoint to the action scenes: All through the movie, you find yourself reinterpreting every scene as you realize the 'other' character is 'really' playing it."<ref name="REbert">{{cite news |url= http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19970627/REVIEWS/706270301/1023 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |authorlink=Roger Ebert |title= Face/Off (review) |work= [[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date= June 27, 1997 |access-date= June 5, 2007 |archive-date= September 30, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070930041100/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19970627%2FREVIEWS%2F706270301%2F1023 |url-status= live }}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Peter Travers]] said of the film, "You may not buy the premise or the windup, but with Travolta and Cage taking comic and psychic measures of their characters and their own careers, there is no resisting ''Face/Off''. This you gotta see."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/face-off-19970627 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |title=Face/Off (review) |first=Peter |last=Travers |authorlink=Peter Travers |date=June 27, 1997 |access-date=March 1, 2018|archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044752/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/face-off-19970627 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Richard Corliss]] of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' said that the film "isn't just a thrill ride, it's a rocket into the thrilling past, when directors could scare you with how much emotion they packed into a movie".<ref>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986612-3,00.html |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |title= One Dumb Summer: Reviews |last= Corliss |first= Richard |authorlink=Richard Corliss |date= June 30, 1997 |access-date= November 20, 2008|archive-date= December 9, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081209080445/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,986612-3,00.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Barbara Shulgasser of the ''[[San Francisco Examiner]]'' called the movie "idiotic" and argued that "Woo is clearly an imaginative man, and there is no doubt that he can concoct six ways to do any given piece of business{{nbsp}}... a good director would choose the best of the six ways and put it in his movie. Woo puts all six in. If you keep your eyes closed during a Woo movie and open them every six minutes, you'll see everything you need to know to have a perfectly lovely evening at the cinema."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1997/06/27/WEEKEND590.dtl|last=Shulgasser|first=Barbara|title=Trading Faces|work=[[San Francisco Examiner]]|date=June 27, 1997|access-date=June 5, 2007|archive-date=October 13, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013133743/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fe%2Fa%2F1997%2F06%2F27%2FWEEKEND590.dtl|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}
The film was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing]] ([[Mark Stoeckinger]] and [[Per Hallberg]]) at the [[70th Academy Awards]], but lost to another Paramount film ''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Garner |first=Chris |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-a-titanic-winn/109932077/ |title=A 'Titanic' winner |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506152141/https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-city-press-citizen-a-titanic-winn/109932077/ |date=March 24, 1998 |access-date=May 6, 2023 |archive-date=May 6, 2023 |page=17 |agency=[[Gannett News Service]] |newspaper=[[Iowa City Press-Citizen]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Face/Off'' also won [[Saturn Award]]s for [[Saturn Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and [[Saturn Award for Best Writing|Best Writing]], and the [[MTV Movie Award]]s for [[MTV Movie Award for Best Action Sequence|Best Action Sequence]] (the speedboat chase) and [[MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo|Best On-Screen Duo]] for Travolta and Cage.

It has been labelled as part of the "holy trinity" of [[Nicolas Cage]] action films, along with ''[[Con Air]]'' (1997) and ''[[The Rock (film)|The Rock]]'' (1996).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/con-air-honest-trailer/ |title=Con Air Honest Trailer Celebrates Peak Nicolas Cage |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=June 6, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214202904/https://screenrant.com/con-air-honest-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2020/01/hollywood-theatre-series-celebrates-the-best-of-nicolas-cage |title=Hollywood Theatre Series Celebrates the Best of Nicolas Cage |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813052928/https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2020/01/hollywood-theatre-series-celebrates-the-best-of-nicolas-cage |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Cage said the film had "aged beautifully".<ref>{{cite web|title=Nicolas Cage Says He Rewatched 'Face/Off' to Prepare for New Role: 'That Movie's Aged Beautifully'|first=Benjamin|last=VanHoose|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=March 18, 2022|url=https://people.com/movies/nicolas-cage-rewatched-faceoff-to-prepare-for-new-role/}}</ref>

''Face/Off'' is said to have inspired ''[[Infernal Affairs]]''. However, ''Infernal Affairs'' director [[Andrew Lau]] wanted to have a more realistic situation; instead of a physical face change, Lau wanted to have the characters swap identities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.1905.com/mdb/film/54626/feature/|title=无间道的幕后花絮|website=www.1905.com|language=zh-cmn-Hans|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020091439/http://www.1905.com/mdb/film/54626/feature|url-status=live}}</ref> The concept of "[[bian lian]]" or "[[bian lian|change face]]", a technique traditionally used in [[Chinese opera]], may have been used here to depict the fluid and seamless morph of Chen and Lau's characters' identities between the "good" and "bad" sides. ''Infernal Affairs'' in turn has spawned several adaptations, notably ''[[The Departed]]'' directed by [[Martin Scorsese]], which won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]].

==Sequel==
[[Paramount Pictures]] announced in September 2019 plans to remake ''Face/Off'' with a new cast. [[David Permut]] would be executive producer, with [[Neal H. Moritz|Neal Moritz]] to produce and [[Oren Uziel]] to write.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2019/09/face-off-remake-paramount-pictures-john-woo-john-travolta-nicolas-cage-1202729685/ | title = Paramount Putting A New Face On Action Hit 'Face/Off' | first = Mike Jr. | last = Fleming | date = September 9, 2019 | access-date = September 9, 2019 | work = [[Deadline Hollywood]] | archive-date = September 9, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190909232708/https://deadline.com/2019/09/face-off-remake-paramount-pictures-john-woo-john-travolta-nicolas-cage-1202729685/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In February 2021, it was reported that [[Adam Wingard]] would direct and the film would be a sequel to the first film.<ref name="Sequel">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/face-off-remake-adam-wingard-youre-next-godzilla-vs-kong-paramount-1234690371/|title='Face/Off' Facelift To Be Delivered By 'Godzilla Vs Kong' Director Adam Wingard at Paramount|date=February 11, 2021|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=February 11, 2021|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212023243/https://deadline.com/2021/02/face-off-remake-adam-wingard-youre-next-godzilla-vs-kong-paramount-1234690371/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title|0119094}}
* {{TCMDb title|436200}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|faceoff}}
* {{mojo title|faceoff}}

{{John Woo}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Face Off}}
[[Category:1997 films]]
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