Peter Greenaway directs this black comedy which revolves around three generations of women called Cissie Colpitts (Joan Plowright, Juliet Stevenson and Joely Richardson). When each of the women decides to drown their husband, they enlist the assistance of Coroner Madgett (Bernard Hill), who finds his job seriously compromised as a result. Meanwhile, Madgett's adolescent son Smut plays obscure folk games and becomes obsessed with collecting animal corpses.

Peter Greenaway writes and directs this psychological drama. Architect Stourley Kracklite (Brian Dennehy) goes to Rome to organise an exhibition paying tribute to an 18th century predecessor. There he becomes convinced his pregnant wife, Louisa (Chloe Webb), is having an affair with one of his rivals and when he develops stomach cramps he suspects she is trying to poison him.