GALATEA

Two men and a woman, the dilation of desire and the expensive premium it entails, ring some old bells and work up a high thermal temperature. For Duke Webster, a former fighter and trainer, caught after a local highjacking, is bought- along with his confession, to work on the Maryland farm of Val Valenty, a successful restaurant man and political punk. Alone there with Holly, Valenty's wife, overfed by her husband to a sickening obesity which is sure to kill her (and intended to do so), Duke watches over her and wetnurses her through the diet which restores a body beautiful and animates not only her gratitude- but also her love for Duke. Determined to keep it clean until they are free- from Valenty, Holly's attempt to secure Duke's confession leads to the scene and scrimmage in which Valenty is killed and they both are charged with his murder.... A familiar terrain and an assured technique make this reliably combustible.