Greenaway's melding of art and a puzzle-as-film triumphs!

I've been a follower of Peter Greenaway for some time now and have been wanting to see this film for a couple of years now. I had been waiting (im)patiently for a UK release but buckled and bought a copy from Holland.

Those familiar with Greenaway's earlier feature length films (such as The Draughtman's Contract and A Zed and Two Noughts) will find themselves in familiar territory... each scene an art reference, clues and puzzles and ciphers hidden in each shot, wonderful sets and cinematography, a truly inspired use of light. 'Drowning by Numbers' is, I think, more accessible than his earlier works which is impressive because it is no less surreal.

The film depicts three women, each in unsatisfactory relationships. They all have the same name. I won't give away any more in that respect because the title of this film is not just a clever name! Bernard Hill is superb as an amorous Scandinavian coroner, Madgett, as is his creepy corpse cataloguing son, Smut.

The numbers 1 to 100 are seen as the film progresses. There are 100 things beginning with ‘M’ in Madgett’s room and 100 things beginning with ‘S’ in Smut’s room. It’s a glory to behold and a crying shame it’s not available here. By it, try and stream it online but however you go about it, if you have any interest in Greenaway or British cinema then you’ll have to give this a bash.

Incidentally, I also wanted to watch this film on the strength of the stunning original soundtrack by Michael Nyman. I’d nabbed the CD long before I saw the film and would recommend it as a work of art in itself.