Peter Greenaway's surreal story has twin brothers (Brian and Eric Deacon), both zoologists, re-examining the meaning of life after a car accident involving a swan claims the lives of their wives. They study the decomposition of several animals with time-lapse photography, plot to liberate zoo animals, and begin a menage-a-trois with the one-legged woman who survived the crash.

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.