# Sex, Lies, and Videotape

Sex, Lies, and Videotape is a 1989 film about a troubled man who videotapes women discussing their sexuality and fantasies, and its impact on the relationships of a troubled married couple and the wife's younger sister.
    Directed and written by Steven Soderbergh.

## Graham Dalton

* I remember reading somewhere that men learn to love the person that they're attracted to, and that women become more and more attracted to the person that they love.

## Ann Bishop Mullany

* I think that um... I think that sex is overrated. I think that people place far too much importance on it, and I think that stuff about women wantin' it just as bad as men is crap. I mean I think that women want it, I just don't think that they want it for the same reason that men think they do.

## John Mullany

* [having just seen Ann's videotape] I wasn't going to say anything, 'cause I thought you'd be devastated. But looking at you now. [snicker] Yeah, I fucked Elizabeth. Before your problem. Hell, while you two were going out. She was nothing special. She was good in bed. [beat] She sure could keep a secret. That's about all I can say about her. [after John leaves, Graham goes inside and destroys all the videotapes]

## Dialogue

    John: I'm sorry?
    Graham: No, it's just, I, you know, I just think - right now I have one key and everything I own is in the car, and I just... I like that, you know? I mean, I just, if I get an apartment, that two keys, if I... get a job, you know, I might have to open or close, that's more keys, you know, buy some stuff, I'm afraid it's gonna get ripped off, or something, and I get more keys, and I just, I, you know, I just like having the one key, it's clean.
    Ann: You're not gonna worry in losing them, I always lose my keys, I hate that.
    Ann: So, all these are... are interviews, huh?
    Graham: Uh, yes.
    Ann: Can we watch one?
    Graham: No, I'd - uh, no.
    Ann: Why not?
    Graham: Well, I... promised each of the subjects that no one would see the videotapes except for me.
    Ann: What are the interviews about?
    Graham: The interviews are about sex.
    Ann: Sex? What about sex?
    Graham: Everything about sex.
    Ann: Like what?
    Graham: What they've done. What they do. What they want to do; but, are afraid to ask for. What they wouldn't do even if asked.
    Ann: So let me see, you said, um, you said that I should never take advice from someone that I haven't had sex with, right... right?
    Graham: Basically.
    Ann: Right. And, uh, we haven't had sex...[giggle] right?
    Graham: So...
    Ann: So, I, I, I guess from your own advice, I shouldn't take your advice.
    Graham: I wouldn't.
    Cynthia: I'd trust him before I'd trust you.
    John: God, that hurts if you say that to me.
    Cynthia: Come on, John! You're fucking your wife's sister. You're a liar; but, at least I know you're a liar.
    Graham: So, I don't... I don't understand, uh, what made you want to come here. I can't imagine Ann painted a very flattering portrait of me.
    Cynthia: Yeah, well, see, um, I don't really listen to Ann when it comes to men. I mean, look at John, for Christ's sake.
    Cynthia: If Ann got freaked out by these, there must be something sexual: are these tapes of you having sex with these girls?
    Graham: No, not exactly.
    Cynthia: Well, either you are or your aren't; which is it?
    Graham: Why don't you let me tape you?
    Cynthia: Doing what?
    Graham: Talking.
    Cynthia: About what?
    Graham: About sex... your sexual history, sexual preferences.
    Cynthia: What makes you think I'd discuss that with you?
    Graham: Nothing.
    Cynthia: Hmm. And you just want to ask me questions?
    Graham: I just want to ask you questions.
    Cynthia: That's all.
    Graham: That's all.
    Cynthia: Is this how you get off or something? Taping women talking about their sexual experiences?
    Graham: Yes.
    Cynthia: [asked whether or not her first sight of a man's organ lived up to her expectations] Mm. No. Not really. I...I didn't... I sort of... I didn't think it would have, uhm, veins or ridges or anything. I just thought it would be smooth like a test tube. It's weird thinking about it now. The organ itself seemed like a - a separate thing, uhm, a separate entity to me. I mean, when he finally pulled it out, and I could look at it and touch it, I completely forgot that there was a guy attached to it. I remember literally being startled when the guy spoke to me.
    Graham: What did he say?
    Cynthia: He said my hand felt good.
    Graham: Then what happened?
    Cynthia: And then I started moving my hand - and then he stopped talkin'.
    Ann: Well, what did he ask exactly?
    Cynthia: Well, I don't want to tell you exactly.
    Ann: You let a total stranger record your sexual life on videotape, but you won't tell your own sister?
    Cynthia: Apparently.
    Ann: I want to know why you are the way you are!
    Graham: And I'm telling you it's not any one thing that I can point to and say "That's why!" It doesn't work that way with people who have problems, Ann, it's not that neat, it's not that tidy! It's not a series of little boxes that you can line up and count. Things just don't happen that way.
    Ann: I thought about you. Have you thought about me?
    Graham: Yes.
    Ann: What did you think?
    Graham: I thought about what you would look like having an orgasm.
    Ann: I'd like to know what I look like havin' an orgasm. Can you do that?
    John: Things are getting too complicated.
    Cynthia: No... they're gettin' real simple.
    John: By definition you're lying to Ann too.
    Cynthia: Yeah, right. But, I didn't take a vow in front of God and everyone to be faithful to Ann.
    John: Well, are we gonna do it or not?
    Ann: I want out of this marriage.
    John: What?
    Ann: I. Want. Out. Of. This. Marriage.
    Ann: My life is shit. It's just shit. Nothing's what I thought it was. John's a bastard. Let's make a videotape.
    Graham: No, I... ahem... I don't think that's a good idea.
    Ann: Why not?
    Graham: Because I don't think it's a choice that you'd make in a normal frame of mind.
    Ann: And what would you know about a normal frame of mind?
    Graham: That's a good question.
    Graham: You're right, I've got a lot of problems... But they belong to me.
    Ann: You think they're yours, but they're not. Everybody that walks in that door becomes part of your problem. Anybody that comes in contact with you. I didn't want to be part of your problem, but I am. I'm leaving my husband, and maybe I would have anyway, but the fact is, is, I'm doing it now, and part of it's because of you. You've had an effect on my life.
    Graham: This isn't supposed to happen. I've spent nine years structuring my life so this didn't happen.

## Cast

* James Spader - Graham Dalton
* Andie MacDowell - Ann Bishop Mullany
* Peter Gallagher - John Mullany
* Laura San Giacomo - Cynthia Patrice Bishop
* Steven Brill - Barfly
* Ron Vawter - Therapist

## External links

* Sex, Lies, and Videotape quotes at the Internet Movie Database
* Sex, Lies, and Videotape at Mojo
* Sex, Lies, and Videotape at Rotten Tomatoes