‎sex, lies, and videotape (1989) directed by Steven Soderbergh • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

sex, lies, and videotape

1989 Directed by Steven Soderbergh

A sexually repressed woman's husband is having an affair with her sister. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything.

Andie MacDowell Peter Gallagher James Spader Laura San Giacomo Ron Vawter Steven Brill Alexandra Root Earl T. Taylor David Foil

Alternative Titles

Sexo, mentiras y video, Sexo, Mentiras e Videotape, Sexe, mensonge et vidéos, Sex, løgn og video, Sexo, mentiras y cintas de vídeo, Seksiä, valheita ja videonauhaa, Sexe, mensonges et vidéo, Sex, psemata kai videotainies, Szex, hazugság, video, Sex, Shkarim V'Videotape, Sesso, bugie e videotape, Sekkusu to uso to bideotêpu, 섹스, 거짓말, 그리고 비디오테이프, Seks, klamstwa i kasety video, Sexo, Mentiras e Vídeo, Seks, laži i video trake, Sex, lögner och videoband, Sexo, Mentiras y Cintas de Video, Seks yalanlari, Sex, Lies, and Videotape

drama

101 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Alex_L ★★★★★ 5

I was always peeved that this film won the Palme d'Or over Spike Lee's film. So much that when I first watched it, a few years ago when I was getting started in film, I turned it off after 15 minutes and claimed it to be one of those film classics that I didn't approve of. Because I was being edgy back then. Finally coming back for a full viewing on a Saturday afternoon, I prove my young self-worth wrong again. It's truly amazing at just how mesmerizing, audacious, and downright sexy Soderbergh’s debut is.
It's been said that Sex, Lies, and Videotape is the independent film that got mainstream audiences into independent films and while that was certainly true…
Review by Edgar Cochran ★★★★★ 7

-Sex as a form of illusional self-empowerment AND a justification of living a double life
-Lies as a mechanism to justify said double life and a means to psychologically deny your own problems as a social being
-Videotape as a form of distancing yourself from your surrounding reality, beginning by your own, and confronting yourself and your deceptive fantasies from a third-person perspective
From Polanski and Zanussi (interestingly enough, both debuts) to Pasolini, the third party triggers the hidden emotional mechanisms of a marriage slowly disintegrating to shatter it to pieces, but passively, not directly interfering in what is fundamentally wrong with the protagonistic relationship, but rising to the surface the unspoken truths that are causing a consciously unspoken lack…
Review by sree ★★★ 4

why are there so many movies about james spader having sex
Review by Dirk van Eck ★★★½ 8

I feel as if I know Laura San Giacomo from somewhere, but after checking her IMDb-page, I am pretty certain that I have never seen her in anything, no movie at least; must be the distinctive nose in combination with the hair that (strongly) reminds me of some other actress I cannot recall right now. Anyways, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, the more-or-less debut of director Steven Soderbergh, of whom I had already seen nine features before this, many of which I like, but none of which I love. Until now! Because Sex, Lies, and Videotape is undoubtedly (in my opinion at least) his best work to-date, and since he claims to be retired, it will probably defend that title for…
Review by " GABRIEL GUIMARÃES " ★★★★

The Summer Of Directors Challenge: Film 36, #51: Sex, Lies, and Videotape
Fascinating. sex, lies, and videotape delivers everything promised in its title. Soderbergh's visual style was already entirely defined in his first feature, and coupled with the offbeat acting and plot structure, it's one of the most interesting film debuts of all time.
Review by Hollie Horror ★★★★ 1

I don't consider myself a fan of Steven Soderbergh but after revisiting Sex, Lies, and Videotape I have a renewed sense of respect for his craft. This was his very first feature-length film and remains one of his best. I may not be a fan of Soderbergh but I am a fan of this film.
Soderbergh brought out a vulnerability in the actors, providing them with career-defining roles. Besides the soft-spoken and sweet Andie MacDowell, the most noteworthy cast member is James Spader. Obviously, I'm going to be a bit biased as I have been in love with him since I was old enough to recognize what attraction entails. With that aside, this was Spader's first great role, sure, he…

Recent reviews

Review by baileyabedon

a late 80’s serve with over the top dialogue and a score that could be interpreted as satirical by the right girl, plus big hair with a red tie. Do I smell male gaze? Certainly. But way more importantly, I smell Heathers and because I’m a simpleton, we have no choice but to stan.
Review by Caleb Brue ★★★★★

Just, wow! Hands down, my favorite Soderbergh film that I’ve seen so far. Some films just touch you in ways you haven’t been before, and this is definitely one of those for me. It’s intoxicating and exotic in such beautiful, thoughtful way. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while. That score from Cliff Martinez is really something special, as is the whole film.
Review by Harrison Dunn ★★★★

I really enjoyed this.
I don’t know what makes it feel so different but I really like it.
I like the blue, melancholy of the whole thing, is this what America feels like? Yes.
Review by Daniel Erenberg ★★★★★

Tbh Soderbergh never topped this.
Review by Anneka Honeyball ★★★★½

There’s a lot I love about this film - the dynamic performances (especially Spader), the pondering thoughtfulness of the dialogue, the big 80s hair, this one very impactful dolly shot - but the score... god.
A lot of the film allows the characters to just talk and interact with each other, but the occasional moments where that sonorous, sensual score hits in - especially in the scene where Ann finally films her videotape - are just spine-tingling. That scene never ceases to make my hair stand on end 👏🏻
Review by roso™️🍁 ★★★★

An impressive directorial debut which I did not expect to like this much. I was hooked as soon as it started right until the end. The performances are incredibly strong, the score is perfect, and it’s very well directed (you can sense Soderbergh’s futur in cinema). I wished Gallagher’s character was more layered compared to the other three : their journey is more effective and believable (to some extent).
Review by Rafilmnity ★★½

Tiene algo que la hace interesante y quieras ver que va pasando, pero de hay a considerarla un peliculon... ni mucho menos.
Review by AnObserver ★★★★

This plays very interestingly now, since people are simultaneously more open about sex (social media, etc), and also kind of more prudish about emotional connection (also social media).
Review by beforesnrise ★★★★★

“I think it’s gonna rain.”
“It is raining.”
“Yeah.”