Drowning by Numbers (1988)

I'll tell you why so serious

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This is a black comedy-drama film set in Southwold, Suffolk. It stars Joan Plowright, Juliet Stevenson and Joely Richardson as three middle-class women (who ridiculously all have exactly the same name) from the same family. Each woman murders her husband, then tries to persuade the coroner to help them get away with it.This pointless, weird, miserable, boring film is very hard work to watch. The numbers 1 to 100 appear in the film - almost all of them are in order, but a few aren't. Some of them are very difficult to find. It takes great concentration to find them all - but they are of no relevance.It's preposterous that these educated killers would think that they could get away with their crimes in a tiny town. None of the characters are likable. The coroner's son is the worst to watch and listen to. He's a very annoying kid who proudly drones on and on about various strange games - as though what he's saying is really important. He - and the film - give the impression that they're old, traditional, rural English pursuits that many people frequently play. However, most of them are either invented for the film or are obscure. None of them have anything to do with the main plot.This film is a waste of the acting talent of its three actresses. It doesn't work as a black comedy, because it isn't funny. It doesn't work as a drama, because it's too ridiculous to take seriously. What point is there to this film - other than to make the ludicrous claim that death is just around the corner in this tiny, prosperous town?

Tired of her husband's philanderous ways, the mother of two daughters drowns her husband. With the reluctant help of the local coroner, the murder is obscured. Her daughters are having similar problems with relationships, and tend to follow their mother's example.I really thought I would like this movie, with its clever counting scheme and dark sense of humor. I love black comedy as much or more than I love horror. But for whatever reason, I took no joy at all from this movie.The How I Met Your Mother episode "Bad News" uses a numbering device inspired by the film, with the numbers counting down to the titular "Bad News," when character Marshall learns that his father has died. Now, that is a show I greatly enjoyed, and now that I know the connection would be interested in seeing the episode again.

Such an obviously non-American film. I believe this was the first time I had seen Joan Plowright, and she was so good. Having seen more of her work since, I know this is no fluke. Everyone else was also good here, especially Joely Richardson and Bernard Hill. I won't go into any detail, but the movie is weird, weird, weird, and has a dark subject matter without being a dark film. Highly recommended for those looking for something different. Grade: A

In "Drowning by Numbers" Peter Greenaway managed to find the thin line between the art movies and the audience-pleasing comedies. His other films, like "The Draughtsman's Contract" are visually arresting but very hard to understand and to stay with. I worried a little bit before I sat down watching this film but I spent a cheerful evening in front of the TV. Hilarious dialogues and monologues are matched with Sacha Vierny's beautiful photography and Greenaway's distinctive and moody sets and atmosphere. Plowright, Stevenson and Richardson are equally terrific, not to mention Bernard Hill as the corny coroner. The debuting Jason Edwards is one of the highlights of the film. His strange behaviour and explanations of the newly invented games are the funniest moments in the film. The final scene is one of the most bizarre closing ever put on screen. Unfortunately, this film was faded by the other commercially successful English films of the late 80s, early 90s (e.g. The Fish Called: Wanda), but if you have the opportunity to watch this film don't miss it. It's highly recommended.