Steven Soderbergh Made His Best Movie 37 Years Ago – And It's Not 'Erin Brockovich'

Steven Soderbergh is a director who balances modest, indie projects with multimillion-dollar blockbusters featuring Hollywood stars. However, his best film was made early in his career, in 1989, when he was just 26 years old.

Sex, Lies, and Videotape changed American cinema and paved the way for a generation of independent filmmakers. The film won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and James Spader won the award for Best Actor.

What Is 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' About?

A young man named Graham, an old friend of John's, arrives in a remote town. Graham is a successful lawyer. Graham is an odd and reserved man with a secret hobby of videotaping interviews with women about their sex lives.

John's wife, Ann, is deeply dissatisfied with her marriage and feels empty beneath the facade of domestic perfection. Graham helps her understand the source of her insecurities, and she becomes close to him.

Meanwhile, John is cheating on Ann with her sister Cynthia, who also becomes the subject of Graham's interviews.

'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' Was a Triumph at the Cannes Film Festival & Had a Huge Impact on the Industry

Sex, Lies, and Videotape was a sensation at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. When presenting the Palme d'Or to first-time filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, acclaimed filmmaker Wim Wenders declared onstage that this movie represented the future of cinema – and he was right.

It defined the 1990s industry: after its success, independent films became regular offerings at multiplexes, and producers began to take notice of unknown directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Richard Linklater, and Kevin Smith.

The movie also became a significant cultural phenomenon: its fresh perspective on sexuality in the era of AIDS sparked controversy, and it was followed by numerous projects that merely discuss sex without actually depicting it.

The Heart of 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape' Lies in Its Brilliant Duo: Andie MacDowell & James Spader

The leading actors, Andie MacDowell and James Spader, delivered memorable performances. Spader won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival, and for good reason: his portrayal of Graham, a man who hides deep pain and trauma behind his detachment, was exceptional.

Andie MacDowell, who had long been typecast as the "girl next door," revealed herself here as a subtly insightful actress, earning a Golden Globe nomination.

Their scenes together, especially the final one in which they reveal their vulnerability to each other, are one of the main reasons Sex, Lies, and Videotape remains such a powerful film.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape'?

• Sex, Lies, and Videotape has 96% from critics and 79% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 7.2/10.

• On Letterboxd, Sex, Lies, and Videotape scored 3.9/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape'?

Sex, Lies, and Videotape is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.