The appeal of this film is not its plausibility. Its psychology is interesting, but not appealing. I read the book long ago, and I must have originally seen the film circa 1970. Watching it last night, in a just about bearable format, was not an agreeable experience, and my tastes must have changed. I'm not surprised it apparently got binned, and is now so difficult to find. An unusually nasty sort of forerunner to Lolita, but considerably less convincing. Still, it somehow needs to be seen. In spite of its irrationality the performances are compelling. The direction is a little loose and poorly paced; it could have been tightened up. A privileged man at the self-destructive mercy of his libido. I'll read the book again.
Review of Laughter in the Dark
