Interpersonal Communication 101: a review of SLV

If you purchase "sex,lies,and videotape" expecting to see erotica, you'll be disappointed. Steven Soderbergh's 1989 award winning film (Palme D'Or, Cannes Film Festival) is a provocative, sometimes painful examination of how communication, or lack thereof, can affect relationships. The plot revolves around John, (Peter Gallagher) a junior partner in a law firm, his obsessive, repressed wife Ann, (Andie McDowell) her "extroverted" sister Cynthia, (Laura San Giacomo) and the enigmatic Graham, (James Spader) John's college buddy. Through voice-over, sometimes overlapping narration and crisp editing, the characters are introduced at a rapid pace. While Ann is obsessing about the world's garbage to her shrink, John's in bed with Cynthia. Cynthia tells John it would give her a "perverse thrill" to do it in her sister's bed, so when Graham shows up, John suggests Ann take him apartment hunting. Ann tells Graham she thinks sex is over-rated; Graham tells Ann that for all practical purposes he is impotent, because he's unable to get an erection in the presence of another person. These events take place in the first 25 minutes of the film, which has a running time of 100 minutes. The interaction between these four is the film's core. However, the relationship most pivotal to the plot--between Graham and Elizabeth, a woman he dated in college--is never explored on film. The viewer can only surmise it from the dialogue. James Spader received the Best Actor award at Cannes for his sensitive, understated, yet powerful portrayal of Graham. Especially poignant in the last half-hour of the film, Spader's performance is also praiseworthy because never once do we doubt Graham's sincerity. The thought that this mysterious person with an unusual hobby may be anything other than he appears never enters our minds. This film is not for everyone. Depending on one's views regarding sex, this film may be disturbing. The characters talk about sex in a frank, yet natural way. Some people may have an easier time discussing sex after seeing this film. Soderbergh also wrote the original screenplay which was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to "Born on the Fourth of July." Deliberately or not, there are some loose strings regarding Graham, but the film is so powerful this minor flaw only adds to its mystique. No matter what else Soderbergh may do during his already distinguished career, this film will be regarded a masterpiece.