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Those damn tapes: sex, lies & videotape

 There was a moment in Soderbergh's sex, lies & videotape (1989) when Graham (Spader) is listening/watching Cynthia's (Giacomo) "confessionals", so shaken by their "discussion" that he has to turn away. The seduction or allure of this process for Graham loses its luster and he cannot just get off to Cynthia's personal sexual history, especially when discussing Ann and husband, John's (McDowell and Gallagher) lack of intimacy in the bedroom. Even the adultery comes up and before you know it all three, Cynthia, Ann, and John know about Graham's extracurricular activities. It is that turnaway of Graham from the screen that speaks volumes. How a side pleasure that helps to deal with his emotional impotence (due to the neverseen Elizabeth) leaves Graham's world turned upside down is just one of the film's many fascinating open wounds laid bare by this film.

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