Have you ever been to a dinner party or out to eat with a couple who have been together a long time and they start fighting in front of you? At first, you're embarrassed for them, then you get kind of pissed that they can't keep their shit together, and you end up almost sickly fascinated by how far they'll go to hurt one another. When it's over, you and your date swear to each other that you'll never end up like the So-and-so's. That's what this movie is, except there is no politely excusing yourself and getting the hell away. It sucks you in and doesn't let you go until it's done with you.
George (Richard Burton) is an associate professor at a small college. He is tired from a faculty party and just wants to go to bed, but his wife, Martha (Elizabeth Taylor), informs him that she has invited a young couple over for drinks. Nick (George Segal) is an up-and-coming biology professor, married to wealthy if high-strung Honey (Sandy Dennis). They have no idea that they are the newest pawns in a long-running game of marital sadism between their hosts.
Burton and Taylor were married during the time of filming, which adds another layer of verisimilitude to the performances. This was nominated for every single category of Oscar and won five, including Best Actress for Taylor. It's an incredibly powerful film with a sucker punch ending that will make you laugh and then go shower.
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