Sex, Lügen und Video

Intelligent, surprisingly enveloping drama from writer-director Steven Soderbergh is one that sneaked up on people in 1989--and it may still have an effect on unsuspecting viewers today. Somewhat-frigid young woman becomes fascinated with her husband's friend, an emotionally confused man whose hobby is videotaping sexual conversations with women. The film takes about a quarter of an hour to kick in; however, once the character motivations become more clear, it becomes an engrossing experience: a movie that unfolds like a novel. For those who stay with it, an intense drama focusing on some sordid people who are nevertheless brilliantly portrayed by the cast. Andie MacDowell, as the wife who is so homespun she can't even swear, has rarely been so complex and affecting on film. **1/2 from ****