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| DIRECTED BY |
| Steven Soderbergh |
| STARRING |
| James Spader |
| Andie MacDowell |
| Peter Gallagher |
| Laura San Giacomo |
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It�s not a film where we can sense something brooding beneath the surface � we�re quickly shown exactly what is brooding beneath the surface (adultery,) and what makes it compelling is the tangible sense of an impending disaster that Soderbergh and his actors manage to solemnly convey. This film doesn�t really concern itself with the nature of relationships, but the aftermath of what may arise after they�re established. These characters are already damaged or at fault in some form; they�re simply trying to hide it now. But what happens when their true selves are finally revealed?
The scope of the story is wisely limited � there are really only four characters, yet Soderbergh expands his scope on an emotional and psychological level. Those who dismiss the film as boring simply cannot identify and appreciate the important and true-to-life themes of the film, nor can they invest interest in the emotional and psychological complexities that we get to see these characters go through. Spader � in a very non-yuppie role � is particularly interesting, somehow convincing us that his reclusive strangeness really can charm and ingratiate women. Gallagher is perfectly contemptible as the hedonistic John; actually, every performance is solid and it�s a wonder that Soderbergh managed to find such a perfect cast for his first feature length film.
Soderbergh didn�t really go for creative camerawork because he knew that his script would do the job just fine. Instead, he got creative in the editing room, splicing pieces of time together in a very neat-yet-unique fashion (witness the sequences following John�s invasion of Graham�s home.) I thought the end was pulled together a little too obscurely, however � Ann seems to have forgiven Cynthia for her detestable actions quite quickly. Perhaps Soderbergh was trying to convey a larger passage of time here than I received, but it just didn�t really make sense in my book.
