Steven Soderberg's Sex, Lies And Videotape was released in 1989 and is a product of its time as well as a film that would pave the way for HBO films dealing with sex and the mind, relationships and risqué subject matter which was not so risqué in the decade that followed - the 90's. Peter Gallegher (I first got to know this actor through the popular Fox TV series "The OC" in which he plays the uptight, upscale divorced dad) plays John Mullany, whose wife Anne, played by Andie MacDowell, is afraid of her own sexuality and consequently bores her husband. He engages in an affair with his wife's own sister Cynthia, played by Laura San Giacomo. Things are complicated even further when a therapist (Ron Vawter) tapes his sessions with Cynthia who confesses to various sexual escapades. The plot can border on shocking sex for the sake of sex, but thanks to the fine acting by all the principal characters, this story becomes an overwhelming dark drama which deals with human sexuality, complex adult relationships and the film has a sad, tragic feel to it. Laura San Giacomo is better known as Maya from the sitcom "Just Shoot Me" and considering that was comedy, and this role is much darker and edgier, it attests to her versatility as an actress. The following year in 1990, she starred opposite Julia Roberts in "Pretty Woman". Actor James Spader plays a creepy, seducer and he is nearly the same fellow he portrays in the later 2002 "Secretary". It's clear these types of films are his forte. This film is not to be viewed by sensitive or young viewers, as it has that R rated material one sees in HBO or other cables shows. This is not a silly, vulgar story without any real merit or meaning. It has a powerful message about infidelity, about the nature of adult male and female sexuality and this film has a small following of its own. Soderberg directs with great flair. We see close-ups when we need to see them, we get silences when the characters are reflecting on past misconducts and we also get a love triangle. It's a dark film but it never borders on pure debauchery. It's a film that makes you think.