Drowning by Numbers **** (1988, Bernard Hill, Joan Plowright, Juliet Stevenson, Joely Richardson) – Classic Movie Review 10,642

Writer-director Peter Greenaway’s extremely dark 1988 comedy drama Drowning by Numbers – about a coroner (Bernard Hill) and his relationships with three generations of women all named Cissie Colpitts (Joan Plowright, Juliet Stevenson and Joely Richardson) – touches on sex, death and extremes of culture from Brueghel to circumcision.

Oblique numerical references tease the mathematically inclined, while others can wallow in Greenaway’s glorious use of the camera, Sacha Vierny’s polished cinematography, and Michael Nyman’s elegant and startling score.

Drowning by Numbers is a pleasing, arty cinematic puzzle.

Also in the cast are Jason Edwards, Bryan Pringle, Trevor Cooper, David Morrissey and Janine Duvitski.

Drowning by Numbers runs 118 minutes, is made by Film Four International, Elsevier-Vendex Film Beheer, Allarts Production, Vrijzinnig Protestantse Radio Omroep (VPRO) and Stimuleringsfonds Nederlandse Culturele Omroepproducties, and released by Film Four (UK) and Miramax (1991) (US).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,642

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