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Sex, Lies, and Videotape

  • 19891989
  • RR
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,913
259
Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
Theatrical Trailer from Miramax
Play trailer1:33
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
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.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.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.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
55K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,913
259
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writer
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Stars
    • James Spader
    • Andie MacDowell
    • Peter Gallagher
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Writer
    • Steven Soderbergh
  • Stars
    • James Spader
    • Andie MacDowell
    • Peter Gallagher
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 126User reviews
    • 71Critic reviews
    • 86Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 15 wins & 24 nominations total

    Videos2

    Sex, Lies And Videotape
    Trailer 1:33
    Sex, Lies And Videotape
    Pop Trivia: Sundance Film Festival
    Clip 0:53
    Pop Trivia: Sundance Film Festival

    Photos121

    James Spader in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    Andie MacDowell in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    James Spader in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    Laura San Giacomo in 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)
    Andie MacDowell in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
    Laura San Giacomo in Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Spader
    James Spader
    • Grahamas Graham
    Andie MacDowell
    Andie MacDowell
    • Annas Ann
    Peter Gallagher
    Peter Gallagher
    • Johnas John
    Laura San Giacomo
    Laura San Giacomo
    • Cynthiaas Cynthia
    Ron Vawter
    Ron Vawter
    • Therapistas Therapist
    Steven Brill
    Steven Brill
    • Barflyas Barfly
    Alexandra Root
    • Girl on Tapeas Girl on Tape
    Earl T. Taylor
    • Landlordas Landlord
    David Foil
    • John's Colleagueas John's Colleague
    • Director
      • Steven Soderbergh
    • Writer
      • Steven Soderbergh
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The film was playing in Berlin's largest movie theaters when the Berlin Wall fell. A lot of East Germans crossing over to West Berlin went to see it, expecting Western-style porn.
    • Goofs
      When Graham is interviewing Ann, Ann sets the camera down on the arm of the chair pointing at the window away from the couch. When Graham gets up to turn it off, it is pointing at the couch.
    • Quotes

      Graham: I remember reading somewhere that men learn to love the person that they're attracted to, and that women become more and more attracted to the person that they love.

    • Crazy credits
      This film is dedicated to Ann Dollard 1956-1988
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Sex, Lies, and Videotape/Young Einstein/Parenthood/The Music Teacher (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Garbage
      Written by Mark A. Mangini

      Performed by Mark A. Mangini

    User reviews126

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Sorry, not convinced
    The film has some moments of interest and good acting, mainly by Andie MacDowell. However, all in all, I felt disappointment and boredom, which increased as the movie progressed.

    The main idea in the movie is the dramatic change which the characters go through once Graham enters their lives. Well, I could not see anything about Graham that could drive such a change. Why is the introverted Ann suddenly opens up to this eccentric stranger? Why is her sister so keen to meet him, knowing basically nothing about him, and why does this meeting drive her to make a significant change in her life?

    As for the Graham character itself, by the end of the movie we still know little about him, which makes it a bit awkward when Ann confronts him about his life. However, I didn't feel any interest in knowing more about him. The same goes for the other characters. Cynthia has been particularly shallow and didn't seem to have any motive in her life except resenting her sister.

    I guess that the idea of talking about sex was sensational at the time, but now when it became trivial, we are left with a pretentious movie that gives little of what a good drama should.
    helpful•18
    10
    • orly-yahalom
    • Aug 10, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 22, 1989 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sex, Lies...
    • Filming locations
      • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Outlaw Productions (I)
      • Virgin
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $24,741,667
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $155,982
      • Aug 6, 1989
    • Gross worldwide
      • $24,742,089
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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