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sex, lies, and videotape (1989)

sex, lies, and videotape (1989)
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Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John (Peter Gallagher) is an unscrupulous, self-centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann (Andie MacDowell). Ann feels secure and well provided-for in their relationship, but she has almost no interest in sex; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John, however, is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo), whose personality is fire to Ann's ice; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister, and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham (James Spader), a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex, so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival, the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low-budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino's very different Pulp Fiction (1994), sex, lies, and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
James SpaderAndie MacDowell, (more)
Director(s):
Steven Soderbergh
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Synopsis of sex, lies, and videotape

Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John (Peter Gallagher) is an unscrupulous, self-centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann (Andie MacDowell). Ann feels secure and well provided-for in their relationship, but she has almost no interest in sex; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John, however, is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo), whose personality is fire to Ann's ice; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister, and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham (James Spader), a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex, so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival, the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low-budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino's very different Pulp Fiction (1994), sex, lies, and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
99 mins

Complete Cast of sex, lies, and videotape


Director(s):
Steven Soderbergh
Writer(s):
Steven Soderbergh
Producer(s):
Nancy Tenenbaum
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Language, Not For Children, Sexual Situations)
Categories:
Independent Films
sex, lies, and videotape Awards:
  • 1989 - Cannes Film Festival - Best Actor
  • 1989 - Cannes Film Festival - Palme d'Or
  • 1989 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Actress
  • 1989 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Picture
  • 1989 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Director
  • 1989 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Actress
  • 1988 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - New Generation Award
  • 1988 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Actress
  • 1988 - Sundance Film Festival - Audience Award
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
     
    Regina D.

    I can't figure out why this film was so important for its time: it is so stagey and boring. Awful acting by Andie McDowell and James Spader. None of the characters evoked any sympathy, and I just didn't "get" what the point of these people's lives were, nor did I care. The only actor of interest was Laura San Giacomo.

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    Jared R.

    Spader is a terrible actor. Andie McDowell is hot. Mediocre movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Peter C.

    slow

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