Sex, Lies, and Videotape [M]

Ann Millaney is the perfect wife, stuck in a dull and sexless marriage. Unbeknownst to Ann, her husband John is having an affair with her extroverted and feisty sister, Cynthia. The biggest drama of Ann’s life happens when an old school friend of John’s comes to town and has a very subtle, but powerful effect on those he comes into contact with. Soon, all four of them: Ann, John, Cynthia, and Graham find themselves forced to face their worst problems and speak their fears openly…sometimes into the lens of a video camera. 

Written in eight days and filmed in just over a month on a modest budget of 1.2 million, Sex, Lies, and Videotape has been credited with changing the independent film industry, by enticing mainstream and modern audiences to go and see a smaller film that they would have otherwise completely missed. 

Ann Millaney is the perfect wife, stuck in a dull and sexless marriage. Unbeknownst to Ann, her husband John is having an affair with her extroverted and feisty sister, Cynthia. The biggest drama of Ann’s life occurs when an old school friend of John’s comes to town and has a very subtle, but powerful influence on all those whom he comes into contact with. Soon all four of them: Ann, John, Cynthia, and Graham, find themselves forced to face their worst problems and speak their fears freely… sometimes into the lens of a video camera. 

An independent film and something of a “sleeper” in nature, Sex, Lies, and Videotape was a film that left you deeply affected, but also unsatisfied. With nothing but its simple story, frank and cutting dialogue, and minimal effects, it’s a film that leaves a lot to be desired by mainstream standards, but, almost in keeping with the film’s central catalyst, affects its audience in a strange and powerful way. 

All the performances were wonderful, especially that of Andie MacDowell in her first lead role, but without a doubt, the film belonged to James Spader who played Graham; the film’s catalyst. From seeing him as a teen prick in Pretty In Pink to playing a subdued, confused, and brutally frank man with a real depth and sensitivity was really mind-meddling, but absolutely mesmerising. 

Starring Andie MacDowell, Peter Gallagher, Laura San Giacomo, Ron Vawter, Steven Brill, Alexandra Root, Earl T. Taylor, and David Foll, Sex, Lies and Videotape was a subdued, but strangely affecting film that was filled with deceit, freedom of speech, desire, and drama. It’s different, but not in a bad way and it has earned a place in The Book.