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"People are in general not candid over sexual matters," Sigmund Freud observed. "They do not show their sexuality freely but to conceal it they wear a heavy overcoat woven of a tissue of lies, as though the weather were bad in the world of sexuality." The weather is overcast in the world of sex for the four main characters in Steven Soderbergh's sex, lies, and videotape, the American film that won the Palme d'Or (Best Film) at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival.

Our story is told largely from the perspective of Ann Mullany (Andie MacDowell), who lives in Baton Rouge with her yuppie husband John (Peter Gallagher). Their marriage is crumbling after just a few years together. Ann seems reserved and almost puritanical; John works long hours, just became junior partner, and is having an affair with Ann's younger sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo). It's obvious that the Mullanys are bored with their marriage -- for completely different reasons, of course -- and Cynthia doesn't seem to care about hiding the secret from her uptight, reserved sister. The cracks in their marriage really start to show upon the arrival of John's old college friend, Graham Dalton (James Spader). It's been seven years since they've seen each other and both have changed dramatically, but the introspective Graham immediately becomes a catalyst...especially once Ann discovers a personal project he's been working on.

Director: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: James Spader, Andie MacDowell, Peter Gallagher
Country: USA
Genre: Drama

BD50, DVD9 | 1080p AVC, NTSC | 01:40:09 | 45.6 Gb + 7.45 Gb + 3% rec
Language: English
Subtitles: English

Extras:

• Audio Commentary - this archival audio commentary features writer/director Steven Soderbergh and filmmaker and playwright Neil LaBute. It was recorded in 1998.

• Interviews with Steven Soderbergh -

-- Interview One (2018) - in this new segment, Steven Soderbergh discusses the exact moment in which Sex, Lies, and Videotape was conceived as well as the architecture and main themes of his film. Parts of the segment address questions that were previously submitted by fans of the film. In English, not subtitled. (7 min).

-- Interview Two (1992) - in this archival video interview, Steven Soderbergh discusses the rapid evolution of his career after the success of Sex, Lies, and Videotape, some of the main themes in it and visual style, his love for Jaws, etc. There are also comments about the production of Kafka. The interview was conducted for The Dick Cavett Show. In English, not subtitled. (14 min).

-- Interview Three (1990) - in this archival video interview, Steven Soderbergh recalls what inspired him to shoot Sex, Lies, and Videotape, and discusses the manner in which it was edited, the specific role sex has in the film, Peter Gallagher's performance, etc. The interview was conducted in Washington D.C. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Something in the Air: Making "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" - in this brand new documentary, actors Peter Gallagher, Andie MacDowell, and Laura San Giacomo recall their work with Steven Soderbergh during the production of Sex, Lies, and Videotape and discuss his directing methods. The actors also address the qualities of the characters that they play in the film. The documentary was produced for Criterion in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (29 min).

• James Spader - presented here is an excerpt from NBC's Today show with actor James Spader in which he discusses his contribution to Sex, Lies, and Videotape and recalls the day when he learned about the film's success at the Cannes Film Festival. The interview was conducted in September 1989. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).

• Larry Blake and Cliff Martinez - in this new filmed conversation, sound editor/re-recording mixer Larry Blake and composer Cliff Martinez discuss their professional relationships with Steven Soderbergh, the role music has in his films, and the scoring and sound editing of Sex, Lies, and Videotape. The conversation was recorded exclusively for Criterion in April 2018. In English, not subtitled. (20 min).

• Deleted Scene - presented here is a deleted scene featuring Ann (Andie MacDowell) and her therapist (Ron Vawter), which can be seen with an optional audio commentary by Steven Soderbergh. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Generators, Noise Reduction, and Multitrack Audiotape - in this new documentary, sound editor/re-recording mixer Larry Blake discusses the additional work that was done to remove and/or minimize native limitations such as background noise that were present on the original edit of Sex, Lies and Videotape. There are also very interesting comments about the cutting of the dialog. The documentary was produced in 2018. In English, not subtitled. (12 min).

• A Note on the Picture and Sound Restorations

• Trailers:
-- Soderbergh Cut. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).
-- Miramax Cut. In English, not subtitled. (2 min).