Synopsis:
Dr Philip Riordan is a wealthy, successful middle-aged psychiatrist who has a taste for the finer things in life. Unfortunately one of those things is his beautiful but cold-hearted wife, Megan, who at 28 is almost half his age and only remains bound to him because of the extravagant lifestyle and high society circles to which she has become very much accustomed. It's a loveless marriage and Megan has had a string of affairs. Currently the object of her affections is young architect James Watts.
Megan and James arrive at the Riordan townhouse one night unaware that Philip is waiting inside with a gun. After an initial pretence of civility, the three argue - Megan and Philip openly despise and taunt each other - and James, realising he is a pawn in their game, decides to leave. James subsequently goes missing and it is revealed that Philip has kidnapped him and chained him captive in a windowless hidden room.
Philip visits him there every day, bringing him food, a cocktail shaker of martini, books and a mysterious extra flask of something he drips into a bath in an adjoining room. Philip tells James that he intends to murder him and is only keeping him alive until the furore around his disappearance has died down. He wants to teach Megan a lesson. Megan realises that Philip might have killed James - and sets about incriminating him with the police. She plots to divorce a guilty Philip and take all his money while he rots in prison.
As husband, wife and hostage all fight their own corner, the police are drawn in to discover an increasingly bitter and sinister battle between the three parties, leading to a spectacular and unexpected finale. << back to film listing ::
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