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Drowning by Numbers

  • 1988
  • R
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Joely Richardson in Drowning by Numbers (1988)
Three generations of women all share the same problem: marriage woes, and they want to put an end to it.
Play trailer2:52
2 Videos
79 Photos
Dark ComedySatireComedyDrama

Three generations of women share the same problem--marriage woes--and want to put an end to it.Three generations of women share the same problem--marriage woes--and want to put an end to it.Three generations of women share the same problem--marriage woes--and want to put an end to it.

  • Director
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Writer
    • Peter Greenaway
  • Stars
    • Bernard Hill
    • Joan Plowright
    • Juliet Stevenson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Greenaway
    • Writer
      • Peter Greenaway
    • Stars
      • Bernard Hill
      • Joan Plowright
      • Juliet Stevenson
    • 46User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:52
    Trailer
    Drowning by Numbers
    Clip 1:24
    Drowning by Numbers
    Drowning by Numbers
    Clip 1:24
    Drowning by Numbers

    Photos79

    View Poster
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    View Poster
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    + 73
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    Top cast24

    Edit
    Bernard Hill
    Bernard Hill
    • Madgett
    Joan Plowright
    Joan Plowright
    • Cissie Colpitts 1
    Juliet Stevenson
    Juliet Stevenson
    • Cissie Colpitts 2
    Joely Richardson
    Joely Richardson
    • Cissie Colpitts 3
    Jason Edwards
    Jason Edwards
    • Smut
    Bryan Pringle
    Bryan Pringle
    • Jake
    Trevor Cooper
    Trevor Cooper
    • Hardy
    David Morrissey
    David Morrissey
    • Bellamy
    John Rogan
    • Gregory
    Paul Mooney
    • Teigan
    Jane Gurnett
    • Nancy
    Kenny Ireland
    Kenny Ireland
    • Jonah Bognor
    Michael Percival
    Michael Percival
    • Moses Bognor
    Joanna Dickens
    • Mrs. Hardy
    Janine Duvitski
    Janine Duvitski
    • Marina Bellamy
    Michael Fitzgerald
    Michael Fitzgerald
    • Mr. 70 Van Dyke
    Edward Tudor-Pole
    Edward Tudor-Pole
    • Mr. 71 Van Dyke
    Natalie Morse
    • The Skipping Girl
    • Director
      • Peter Greenaway
    • Writer
      • Peter Greenaway
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Writer and Director Peter Greenaway, there are one hundred things beginning with the letter "s" in Smut's (Jason Edwards') room and one hundred things beginning with the letter "m" in Madgett's (Bernard Hill's) room.
    • Quotes

      Smut: The object of this game is to dare to fall with a noose around your neck from a place sufficiently high enough off the ground, such that the fall will hang you. The object of the game is to punish those who have caused great unhappiness by their selfish actions. This is the best game of all, because the winner is also the loser, and the judge's decision is always final.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: One Good Cop/FX2/Switch/Spartacus/Drowning by Numbers (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      2nd Movement of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra K354
      Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (as Mozart)
      Performed by Alexander Balanescu (violin) and Jonathan Carney (viola)

    User reviews46

    Featured review
    8/10

    Playful, quirky, and weird

    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
    • smatysia
    • Apr 9, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is Drowning by Numbers?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1991 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Netherlands
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Verschwörung der Frauen
    • Filming locations
      • Suffolk, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Film Four International
      • Elsevier-Vendex Film Beheer
      • Allarts Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $424,773
    • Gross worldwide
      • $477,828
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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    Joely Richardson in Drowning by Numbers (1988)
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