Drowning by Numbers (1988)

In the realm of familial discontent and deadly secrets, Drowning by Numbers (1988) dilutes the boundaries of morality and loyalty. Tired of the chronic infidelity exhibited by her husband, the matriarch of the Colpitts family, Cissie, takes a chilling plunge into the world of murder, submerging her spouse in the cold grasp of the sea. This drastic action is aided and concealed by the local coroner, Madgett, a man ensnared in a web of deceit and reluctant complicity. As the narrative unravels, it becomes apparent that the poison of dissatisfaction has seeped into the hearts of the younger Colpitts women. Each bearing the name Cissie, the daughter and niece find themselves mirroring their progenitor's fatal solution to their own marital problems. Madgett, perpetually caught in the family's deadly maelstrom, becomes an unwilling accomplice in their aquatic homicides, his role escalating from a mere observer to a pivotal accessory. The film's unique rhythm is dictated by the recurring motif of numbers, which punctuate the plot in a sequential dance from one to one hundred. These numerical specters materialize in both dialogue and visuals, serving as an enigmatic backdrop to the escalating series of crimes. Drowning by Numbers is a labyrinth of intrigue, where the conventional family drama is submerged in a sea of murderous intent, all set against a numerical landscape that counts down to an inevitable, haunting crescendo.

Drowning by Numbers is a comedy movie featuring Joan Plowright.

Drowning by Numbers is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Film Movement Plus and FlixFling.

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