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      Sex, Lies, and Videotape

      R Released Aug 4, 1989 1h 41m Drama List
      96% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 79% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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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 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 Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Demonstrates that it's not a lack of money, rather intelligence that makes a memorable film. [Full review in Spanish] Jun 15, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      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 Post a rating

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      Sex, Lies, and Videotape

      Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) View more photos

      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
      Criterion Collection, Miramax Films
      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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