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Sex, Lies And Videotape
1989
Steven Soderbergh explodes onto the scene with this provocative, intelligent drama about infidelity and voyeurism. Ann Milaney (Andie MacDowell) lives in a comfortable Louisiana home with her lawyer husband, John (Peter Gallagher). She spends her days fretting over the insurmountable problems of the world and her own unfocused .. Read more
| Starring | James Spader, Peter Gallagher, Andie MacDowell, Laura San Giacomo |
|---|---|
| Director | Steven Soderbergh |
| Genres | Drama |
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Sex, Lies And Videotape
Steven Soderbergh explodes onto the scene with this provocative, intelligent drama about infidelity and voyeurism. Ann Milaney (Andie MacDowell) lives in a comfortable Louisiana home with her lawyer husband, John (Peter Gallagher). She spends her days fretting over the insurmountable problems of the world and her own unfocused sense of melancholy. Although she doesn't know it, she has a good reason to be upset: John is having a torrid affair with her younger, more extroverted sister, Cynthia (the sexy Laura San Giacomo). When Graham Dalton (James Spader), an old college pal of John's, comes to visit, all three are momentarily distracted from personal problems and intrigues as they scrutinize the odd outsider. Ann soon discovers that Graham has some strange habits and problems of his own. Plagued by impotency since the calamitous breakup of his last relationship, the young drifter finds sexual gratification by videotaping women willing to talk about their sexual past and fantasies in front of the camera. A chain of attraction and jealousy develops as the four interconnect in several varied pairings, culminating with Ann's decision to become Graham's latest subject. Soderbergh's highly influential debut independent feature plays like a dangerous thriller that builds in tension until everyone's secrets are bitterly exposed.
| Starring | James Spader, Peter Gallagher, Andie MacDowell, Laura San Giacomo |
|---|---|
| Director | Steven Soderbergh |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 35 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Dubbed | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Hearing-impaired | English, German |
| Subtitles | Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish |
| Released | DVD: 16 Sep 2002 Production year: 1989 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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The winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes, Steven Soderbergh's debut feature was made for just $1.2 million. Although it took an uncompromisingly adult approach to sex, it wasn't explicit nudity (of which there is none) that made this intelligent film so controversial, but the intimacy of the drama and the frankness of the dialogue. A genuine slow-burner, it takes its time introducing us to the quartet of main characters. Peter Gallagher is a lawyer having an affair with his sister-in-law (Laura San Giacomo), who has always resented the prissiness of her perfect sibling (Andie MacDowell). However, we never really discover anything about Graham (James Spader), the long-lost friend who forces the other three to re-examine their motives and desires. Where does his money come from and why does he have tapes of women confiding their innermost sexual secrets? It's this ambiguity that makes Spader's character the most fascinating of the quartet and goes some way to explaining why he won best actor at Cannes.
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Ann (MacDowell) is not happy: her husband John (Gallagher) is a lawyer who, unbeknownst to her, is having an affair... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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15 out of 16 people found this review helpful
An impressively adult drama
Fifteen years after it won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, Steven Soderbergh's 'Sex, Lies and Videotape' still stands as an intelligent analysis of sexual politics.
Ann(Andie MacDowell) is a frigid housewife who thinks her husband John(Peter Gallagher) has settled for their sexless relationship. In fact John is having an affair with Ann's exotic sister Cynthia(Laura San Giacomo). Things come to a head when John's college friend Graham(James Spader) comes to town and his unusual fetish has consequences for every character.
Soderbergh's classy film is a real slow-burner. He steers clear of any explicit sex and instead lets his script and excellent cast inject the eroticism into the drama. In fact Soderbergh makes the many conversations in the film more intimate, more erotic than any sexual encounter.
James Spader is the standout in a fine cast. His character is the catalyst for everything that takes place in the film and the fact that little is known about him adds to his enigmatic quality. In fact the only time Soderbergh's script falters is when he tries to explain a little of Graham's past and motives. It's his ambiguity that makes him the most fascinating character on view and this element of the screenplay feels false. However, for the most part Soderbergh hits the mark with this film and it makes for compelling viewing. -
Most recent members' review
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10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Erotic Thriller
The narrative is excellent and the films strength lies in its dialogues and characterisation. Andie McDowell is obsessive and is in therapy. James spader has a shady past and talks about being in therapy. This is a dark film about deranged people.
Infidelity and the anguish experienced by the deceived ones and how they come into terms with it.
I agree with the review that if James Spaders character would have been explained it would have been more interesting. -
News and features
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Del Toro to play Che
- 15 Dec 2005
Benicio Del Toro is star in a new biopic of the revolutionary leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara. The film Guerrilla is to be directed by Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, And Videotape, Traffic, Solaris) and will be based on recently declassified CIA files. Del Toro, star of Sin City, 21 Grams and Licence To Kill, will appear alongside Javier Bardem (Live Flesh, Jamon Jamon) and Franka Potente (Run Lola Run, The Bourne Identity). Filming is due to start in Mexico in January. Che Guevara's life most... Read more
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Sex, Lies And Videotape
Steven Soderbergh explodes onto the scene with this provocative, intelligent drama about infidelity and voyeurism. Ann Milaney (Andie MacDowell) lives in a comfortable Louisiana home with her lawyer husband, John (Peter Gallagher). She spends her days fretting over the insurmountable problems of ...
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