sex, lies, and videotape: Indie Gold or Just Overhyped?

Alright, fellow movie lovers, moviebuff_marc here, back with another dive into the past. Just watched "sex, lies, and videotape" again. Man, this one takes me back. I remember when this came out. It was like a revelation. Independent film was really starting to take off and this felt like the future of cinema...or at least, one possible future. James Spader's performance as Graham is...something else. Kinda creepy, kinda compelling. The whole confessional thing he had going on was pretty wild, especially in '89. It reminded me a bit of Bergman's "Persona", that intense psychological probing. But instead of Liv Ullmann and Bibi Andersson, you've got Andie MacDowell at her most vulnerable and Peter Gallagher being a total jerk. It's fascinating watching Andie's character, Ann, slowly waking up and finding her voice. I think that's what resonated with me back then, the idea of breaking free from societal expectations. It's not a perfect film by ANY means - the pacing is slow in spots, and some of the dialogue can feel a bit stilted now. But it was important, y'know? Especially for showing what indie films could do. What I found really interesting, rewatching it now, is how incredibly analog it feels. Obviously, the whole videotape thing dates it instantly. But it's more than that. The intimacy of those confessions just wouldn't feel the same mediated through a phone or a laptop. It's the directness of the camera, the fumbling with tapes... it's almost quaint. And the ending... always left me a little cold. Didn't really buy the whole 'redemption' arc for Gallagher's character, John. Seemed a bit rushed. Anyway, anyone else have thoughts on this one? Was it as groundbreaking as I remember, or am I just blinded by nostalgia? I'd love to hear what you all think.