"Le Peau Douce," directed by François Truffaut

Movie, 1964

A slight, well-trodden story of infidelity and the consequences arising for the three protagonists involved. A fairly conventional film, all told, although there's a subversion at the end which makes quite a mark and a clear statement. Otherwise, everything in the film looks cool, with a decent smattering of Citroens, Gauloises and jet planes and some pretty archaic looking, talented people gaining social points over younger looking talented people. A film where gender and class are examined, while the story's focus remains deeply personal.

"The Two Faces of January", by Patricia Highsmith

Novel, 1964

Gripping psychological thriller looking at attachments, classical and Oedipal conflicts and characters struggling and bringing each other down across Europe. While this novel may possibly have benefited from a tighter ending, and if the classical references are laid on a little thick in places this is, nonetheless, a cracking read. Not in the top bracket for Highsmith, but an excellent romp, with a load of obsessive, guilty and perverse behaviours demonstrated by all three of the main characters.

"Seance on a Wet Afternoon", directed by Bryan Forbes

Movie, 1964

A film looking at desperation in the English suburbs at a time when the swinging 60s was really kicking off. This is a film in which credibility and motivations are stretched, but which carries a powerful punch in looking and presenting a world teetering on the brink of insanity. Some great camerawork and music give a really tense atmosphere, as the main characters battle with each other and a situation running out of control. Gloriously overblown and entertaining for it.