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sex, lies, and videotape
1989 101 min United States of America R 18+
★8.1
Drama
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Trailers
Description
Ann, a frustrated wife, enters into counseling due to a troubled marriage. Unbeknownst to her, her husband John has begun an affair with her sister. When John’s best friend Graham arrives, his penchant for interviewing women about their sex lives forever changes John and Ann’s rocky marriage.
Budget:
$1.2M
US Gross:
$24.74M
Worldwide:
$24.74M
Starring
James Spader
Actor
Andie MacDowell
Actor
Peter Gallagher
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 1989
— Audience Award (Drama)
Cannes Film Festival 1989
— FIPRESCI Prize
Cannes Film Festival 1989
— Palme d'Or
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Actress (Drama)
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Screenplay
Sundance Film Festival 1989
— Audience Award (Drama)
BAFTA 1990
— Best Original Screenplay
Cannes Film Festival 1989
— FIPRESCI Prize
Sundance Film Festival 1989
— Grand Jury Prize (Drama)
Cannes Film Festival 1989
— Palme d'Or
Cannes Film Festival 1989
— Silver Award – Best Actor
César Awards 1990
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
Steven Soderbergh's debut is widely regarded as a psychologically rich and influential character drama that effectively uses raw, honest dialogue to explore intimacy and sexual complexity. While most viewers praise its authentic performances and bold, minimalist approach, a small minority finds the film tedious and lacking in the explicit content suggested by its title.
| Acting | James Spader's performance provides a profound sense of mystery and nuance that anchors the film's psychological depth. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay relies on sharp, compelling, and revelatory dialogue rather than physical action to drive the emotional stakes. | |
| Production | The minimalist production design uses confined spaces to create an intimate, psychoanalytic atmosphere that heightens character tension. | |
| Score | Opinions on the musical score are divided: some find the soundtrack atmospheric and essential to the film's immersive quality, while others find it negligible. | |
| Originality | The film’s focus on provocative conversation rather than explicit imagery polarizes audiences; some find this refreshing and sincere, while others perceive it as a boring departure from the expectations set by the title. |