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Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Play trailer Poster for Sex, Lies, and Videotape R Released Aug 4, 1989 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
96% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Ann (Andie MacDowell) is trapped in a sexually and emotionally unfulfilled relationship with her husband, John (Peter Gallagher), a successful but unpleasant lawyer who is sleeping with her sister, Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). The underlying tensions in the couple's marriage rise to the surface when Graham (James Spader), a friend of John's from college who's been drifting for nine years, returns to town and videotapes Cynthia and Ann as they talk about their sexual desires.
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Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Sex, Lies, and Videotape

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Critics Consensus

In his feature directorial debut, Steven Soderbergh demonstrates a mastery of his craft well beyond his years, pulling together an outstanding cast and an intelligent script for a nuanced, mature film about neurosis and human sexuality.

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Critics Reviews

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David Stratton At the Movies (Australia) I was disappointed. I think it's been overhyped and I can't understand why people rave about it the way they do. Feb 16, 2018 Full Review Richard Corliss TIME Magazine What amazes is that at just 26, Soderbergh displays the three qualities associated with mature filmmakers: a unique authorial voice, a spooky camera assurance, and the easy control of ensemble acting. Dec 9, 2011 Full Review Empire Magazine Soderbergh has assembled his cast into a fascinating jigsaw of neuroses, which then leap from the screen thanks to his intriguingly intellectual script. Rated: 5/5 Dec 9, 2011 Full Review Bianca Garner Filmotomy Graham is an oddball, but you can't help but admire his bohemian, laid back approach to life. Oct 7, 2024 Full Review Farah Cheded A Good Movie To Watch [James Spader's] deftly modulated performance... tips the scales from weird to sensitive and back again (even in the same scene) and is key to the film’s overall intelligent, ambiguous effect. Sep 2, 2023 Full Review Carla Monfort Espinof In spite of sex being prevalent, Steven Soderbergh gives more emphasis to his characters' emotional nakedness. [Full review in Spanish] Oct 24, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Kristin B I just happened to think of this movie and watched it again earlier today. I loved it when it came out and I still do. It's not really a feel good film but James Spader is such a subtle actor, it's a treat to watch him work. He says so much with a tiny expression. It's very sexy at times without explicit sex, which I get very tired of these days and it's also sad. Complicated people trying to figure out their messed up lives. I'm surprised the audience rating is not higher considering the critical acclaim it received when it was released. It remains one of my favorites. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/04/24 Full Review 雅苏 典 一般我是不感冒感味人性的片子的,因为比起情节的波折情感的复杂更难以并懒得归纳,不过这部的娓娓道来般的层层推进却颇意外地舒服,即使看得仍云里雾里未暇细品却还不失舒服 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/19/24 Full Review Shioka O Watched in 2024. Looking retro, but still truly interesting and absorbing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Maeve H So great! Original, clever, quirky, unpredictable. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review Esra Y I like that movie chooses to tell it's story and dynamic of characters mainly by dialogue. Which means dialogues are exceptionally well written. Final scene bw Ann and Graham is perfectly written,directed and acted. My only wish is there to be a confrontation bw sisters. Movie points out their complicated and toxic relationship many times but I feel like confrontation would've add more impact to the movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/18/23 Full Review Leaburn O Pretty neatly intertwined the lives of four characters as they try to come to terms with their attitudes to sex and relationships. It's like being a fly on the wall with their shrink sessions. Fairly ponderously underwhelming ending but a solid character study of all the main players. Bought this one for £1 in a charity shop and happy to have this Palme D'Or winner in my collection. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sex, Lies, and Videotape

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Ann (Andie MacDowell) is trapped in a sexually and emotionally unfulfilled relationship with her husband, John (Peter Gallagher), a successful but unpleasant lawyer who is sleeping with her sister, Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). The underlying tensions in the couple's marriage rise to the surface when Graham (James Spader), a friend of John's from college who's been drifting for nine years, returns to town and videotapes Cynthia and Ann as they talk about their sexual desires.
Director
Steven Soderbergh
Producer
Bobby Newmyer, John Hardy
Screenwriter
Steven Soderbergh
Distributor
Miramax Films, Criterion Collection
Production Co
Outlaw Productions
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 4, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 18, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$22.7M
Runtime
1h 41m
Sound Mix
Surround
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