Review of Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) by Branden W — 14 Nov 2012
Seance on a Wet Afternoon is undoubtedly a masterpiece of 60's cinema. The film's clever artifice and dark humor have rarely been equalled in common contemporary "kidnapping" charades.
Kim Staley is a manipulative yet strangely comic figure, fabricating her abilities as a "psychic medium", and wielding mind tricks designed for an elaborate scheme for a ransom pay. The originality of the film does not lie only in Staley's incredible performance, for the mystery and suspense evoked may equal any detective or film noir of the period.
Inspired by the novel, the film describes the reality of the "common man as criminal", ordinary and not the least bit evil. For a change, the "criminals" are well-liked and possibly favored, as they are characters whose consolations lie not in rebellion or evil, but in the demonstration of their own compelling vitality.
This review of Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) was written by Branden W on 14 Nov 2012.
Seance on a Wet Afternoon has generally received very positive reviews.
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