Review of sex, lies, and videotape (1989) by Jonathan C — 02 Jan 2010

An important movie that still hold up and needs to be remembered and consistently celebrated, Steven Soderbergh's "sex, lies, and videotape" was one of the first independent films to gain mainstream exposure, interest, and success, and its influence is still felt to this day. It's, in a superficial or generic way, the ultimate "indie" film. There are no special effects, no huge stars (at the time, although the film did launch a few off into fame), the story relies heavily on talk and little on action, and the subject matter is provocative and thought-provoking. Aside from all of that though, it's just a damn well acted, directed, and written work, that's only flaw comes around the last 2 minutes of the movie, where everything is wrapped up in a happy, but rather surreal, ending. But aside from that nit-pick, I find this movie hasn't dated a bit aside from its use of "videotapes." The raw human emotions are still there, and they still resonate, and the movie is one of the best I've seen at exploring sexuality and relationships in a thoughtful and rather strenuous way.

Has this cast ever been better? Even Peter Gallagher gives a stellar performance, for God's sake. It's a bit sad to see the two female leads, Andie MacDowell and Laura San Giacomo, in such startling and powerhouse roles, knowing they would go on to be simple, nice or simple, sassy girlfriends, or the girlfriend's best friend, in every movie they would appear in after this. MacDowell is the true discovery here; she plays her prudish housewife as disturbingly self-aware, and her personal change through the movie is believable. Her final explosion is highly satisfying. San Giacomo is sexy and firely in her screen time, but with a knowing air of intelligence films rarely apply to women.

Then, of course, there's James Spader. How did this guy not win an Oscar for this performance? It's legendary work. The subtle smiles, movements, and the way Spader's character chooses to verbalize his feelings, all of these add up to create not a movie character but a fully fleshed human being. Even as repulsed as we are by him, we understand exactly how he feels and what he wants. It's the best role of his career and the one for which he must be remembered.

Soderbergh has still, in my opinion, never matched his debut work here. The direction is simple, but incredibly effective. The places he chooses to put his camera, the subtle movements around actors, the precise editing; these are all perfect. Although it's a highly erotic and sexually charged movie, there is no nudity and only a hint of onscreen sex. This film is about the conversation, the "idea," of sex, and while films like "Closer" have tried to scratch the surface of this subject, I feel Soderbergh's meditation on the subject here is still the most defining example on how adult material should be treated in cinema.