VCRs are still lies, only sex is real

Jaime 2022-04-22 07:01:32

In Soderbergh's famous work, several protagonists live lives supported by lies, and the videotape witnesses people's lies and truths like a priest in a confessional room, and provides a channel for redemption - people are in succession in Under the guidance of the male protagonist Graham, he opened his heart to this emotionless machine and disclosed his most private sexual details. In the end, Graham himself also dug into the video recorder for the secrets buried deep in his heart - it seemed that they learned from it. Liberation, but where does this redemption lead? Presumably not heaven.

As we all know, the essence of the camera is to record and communicate, and every act will become history and may be widely disseminated. But this danger did not become an obstacle for the characters, but stimulated their desire to talk. Just as a person talks to himself in front of a mirror, on the one hand, the reflection he sees in front of the camera is his own image—he is a confession to his heart; on the other hand, he faces countless possible viewings He knows that "someone is looking at me" and subconsciously wants to be spied on by others, and this possibility makes them happier and thus better present themselves. The camera seems to be more objective and pure than the psychiatrist, without personal criticism, but it actually represents a stronger social and moral orientation behind it. The redemption that people hope for is not the redemption of their own souls, but the identity of a normal person in the eyes of others/society.

What emerges here is especially the women photographed by the male protagonists, who are made accomplices by the camera, who, like men, treat their sexuality and bodies as a spectacle. And the rather feminine (impotent) Graham finally sat in front of the camera like a woman, and the only male protagonist John did not get the pardon of the public power represented by the camera.

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Sex, Lies, and Videotape quotes

  • 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.

  • 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.