Sex, Lies, and Videotape
Product Description
SEX LIES & VIDEOTAPE (DVD/WS 1.85/DSS/DIR COMMENTAAmazon.com essential video
Winner of the Palm d’Or and Best Actor awards at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival, sex, lies, and videotape transformed the independent film industry and turned writer-director Steven Soderbergh into the envy of aspiring filmmakers everywhere. Sly, seductive, and coolly intelligent, the movie explores the sexual shenanigans and personal preoccupations of its four central characters, revolving around a selfish lawyer (Peter Gallagher) who responds to his wife by having an affair with her free-spirited sister (Laura San Giacomo). But when the lawyer’s college roommate (James Spader) arrives for an unexpectedly extended visit, the neglected wife (Andie MacDowell) is surprisingly responsive to his seductive hobby of videotaping women as they describe their sexual fantasies. It’s his way of compensating for impotence, but the curious wife considers this a sexual challenge, and Soderbergh turns sex, lies, and videotape into a fascinating chamber piece that puts a decidedly different spin on the consequences of infidelity. Balanced on a risky and finely tuned performance by Spader, the film delivers frisky passion and emotional intrigue, and yet much of its allure is found in the exchange of secrets and the hidden mysteries of sexual desire. –Jeff Shannon
Along with LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL, A BEAUTIFUL MIND, DOGMA, FREE ENTERPRISE, and 20 DATES, this is easily one of the worst films I have ever seen.
Like all of Soderbergh’s films, SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE is VERY conservative. It is conformist kitch that legislates in the name of the “normal.”
James Spader is a scopophiliac who learns to give up his fetish, throws away his videotape collection, and is normalized at the end of the film.
The film’s politically offensive and repressive character makes it even more unwatchable than OCEAN’S ELEVEN.
After SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE, Soderbergh would go on to distort, commercialize, and sensationalize Kafka’s life in the disgusting KAFKA.
See Schrader’s AUTO-FOCUS instead!—a film that isn’t afraid of exploring human “perversity”!
Rating: 1 / 5
I have endured this movie many times, each time straining to eek out some enjoyment or interest. Each time failing and wondering more and more what the big deal is. The story is child-like in its conception and I understand why it took Mr. Schoderberg so few days to write. I can only compare this film to Flatliners in its inability to produce a coherent and stimulating script. To those who loved the film, I suggest they get out more and even read a few books. ‘My secret Garden’ by Nancy Friday would a better start than this woeful effort.
Rating: 1 / 5
This is a stupid movie, including that “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” reminds me about that movie called Unfaithful, I give this movie ** (2 out of 5).
Rating: 2 / 5
When I saw this the first time, I had really liked it. So I purchased it. Seeing it the second time I was not that impressed.
Rating: 3 / 5
I saw this movie years ago and forgot about it. I fially found it on Showtime On Demand Saturday May 14th 2005. It is amazing these people went from this sexual film noir to eventually do streamlined tv programs. James Spader now does Boston Legal. Peter Gallagher does the OC. Andie macDowell does lots of tv especially the Hallmark Movie with Rose Odonnell. And the San Giacomo chick has done sitcoms. I find the whole thing amazing!!
Rating: 5 / 5