Director: Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Bubble, Full Frontal, Ocean’s 11, Che, Out of Sight)
Writers: David Levien, Brian Koppelman
Producers: Mark Cuban, Gregory Jacobs, Todd Wagner
Starring: Sasha Grey, Chris Santos
MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 78 min.

(4.5/5)

Right off the bat I suppose it would be prudent of me to disclose that I love (*LOVE*) Steven Soderbergh’s films. I’ve been walking around giddy as hell for roughly three weeks waiting for The Girlfriend Experience to screen in my city. He is by far my favorite living director; hands down. Even with the films that are critically panned, you’ll see hearts in my eyes as I leer at the flickering images on screen. Something about not only his particular brand of shooting style (which is actually fairly eclectic depending on the release), but also his business sense. I admire and enjoy the fact that he is willing, indeed wanting, to do the experimental arthouse pictures that very few film makers have the balls to attempt. Then three months later I’ll sit in a multi-plex and appreciate Soderbergh’s seemingly equal willingness to go big budget Hollywood-style when he wants/needs to. What may seem like a paycheck movie to insiders/fans/critics, actually feels to me like he really is enjoying what he’s doing and is not only doing it (“it” meaning films like the Ocean’s 11 franchise) for the money but doing it because he wants to and is having fun with it. This is evidenced by the quality and obvious care put into said blockbuster films. At the same time, this is a man if whose film was slapped with an NC-17 rating, would just say, “so be it” and let it go to whatever screens will take it. He’s a trailblazer and an entertainer at the same time and I can’t get enough. Having said that, because of this blind love I may not actually be the right guy to critically look at the film in question. All morning I was almost dreading the screening as I was afraid I’d have to come home, drink myself silly and write a negative review. Insert sigh of relief here.

The Girlfriend Experience stars real life, adult film star Sasha Grey as Chelsea; a high profile (and high priced) escort girl. She sees her work as an independent business and on the exterior is calculating and confident. Throughout the film though, we get glimpses of her personality; through the hard-ball questions of a journalist, the narration of her personal journal and interpersonal conversations with a client she unwisely takes a personal interest in. What complicates matters beyond all of this is Chelsea’s choice of juggling a serious committed relationship through a live-in boyfriend. The Girlfriend Experience is a unique look at the dynamics of an open relationship, the difficulties of entrepreneurial endeavors, the current economic “crisis” and to put it bluntly, the struggles of being a hooker.

In a recent interview with Filmmaker magazine, Soderbergh disclosed that none of the lighting in The Girlfriend Experience (aside from two short scenes) is artificial. Yes it is man made, but it is non-artificial in that he works with only what light is available to him (i.e. no external lighting) at that particular time at that particular locale. Shot with the RED camera, this gives way for quite an unusual aesthetic quality to the film. While you might think it would seem more “realistic” or raw, it actually somehow gives everything in frame a more inviting and warmer feel than it would normally be. So if nothing else, from the get-go the world in which we’re exploring is welcoming and interesting to look at. Actually, not to put to fine a point on it, it is gorgeous.

But I’m sure what will be most talked about in regards to this picture is the courage and intrigue of casting a porno star as the lead in your film. In the past, Soderbergh has had no qualms about casting unknowns or even non-actors in his films. Take a look at Bubble; in which Soderbergh grabbed a few (random) people off of the street in a small town and made his movie with them (and making a good one). Not only is that talent personified, but it takes guts. Topping that with TGE, Soderbergh grabs a lead who’s most known work is in films with titles such as Strip Tease Then Fuck: part 10, Blow Me Sandwich, Squirt Gangbang, Suck it Dry 3, Squirt Facials and House of Ass. While admittedly it’s just fun to type out those ridiculous titles (and believe me, there are plenty more), surprisingly enough Grey is more than capable here; in fact, considering what is expected of her she is astounding. It’s difficult to say if Sasha Grey has any sort of future for herself as a mainstream actress but I certainly would not complain if a studio saw fit to at least give her a chance. In TGE, she would be most comparable to an early career Julia Stiles. Albeit slightly trashier (in a good way) and most likely a little less versatile than Ms. Stiles, this is certainly complimentary comment on Grey’s acting prowess here.

The rest of the cast, like Bubble, are for the most part all non-actors. If Soderbergh needed the part of a web designer for the role, that’s who he nabbed. If he needs a jeweler, he walks into the most accessible diamond store and says to the guy working it, “you wanna be in a movie? Yes? Okay then, we shoot tomorrow.” Obviously that’s simplified, but generally that’s how this film is operated. This tactic is obvious while viewing, but it works – like clockwork. Everyone plays their part wonderfully and the obvious ad-libbing going on only solidifies the believability of the scene.

TGE has very little soundtrack attached to it, but the bits that are there stand out beautifully. Much of the music is actually performed live within the film. If you’ve checked out the newest trailer, you have heard the percussive style soundtrack. A couple of these tracks are actually performed live within the setting of the movie – both are street performers: one an awesome drum kit banger and another comparable to a Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová duo (of Once fame). Aside from just one or two short overlays of mellow, indie-rock instrumentals, Soderbergh seems content to allow his actors and visuals to do the talking. For this type of movie, it is the correct strategy.

Keeping this from being a perfect picture (for me) are two elements: one personal and one pseudo-technical. The plot, to its credit, embeds itself firmly within todays economic climate. The entire story takes place during the 2008, United States presidential campaign. While certainly an interesting aspect of business to follow, not only for our protagonist and her clients’ businesses, but also for the general audience at large. So while certainly a worthwhile pursuit, the screenplay tries way too hard to hit us over the head with this aspect. It seems like that is all any of the characters are ever able to discuss. I was worried that this was going to be the focus of the movie with no dramatic tension – or if there was dramatic tension it would be financial in nature. Thankfully, this overt economic drum banging lasts only a short while and eventually succumbs to actual plot direction after about the thirty minute mark. I wonder if this aspect of the film, although poignant, will cease to establish the film timeless.

Second, I wish that I had a bit more of a gut level reaction to the characters and story at hand here. The best scene in the film is one in which Chelsea and her boyfriend of 18 months finally have it out regarding their open relationship and Chelsea’s desire for more from life. Here is where we finally get at the heart of Chelsea’s life and get to explore who she and her boyfriend are as people. We see the obvious difficulties that such a relationship would naturally cause finally bubble to the surface. These moments of intrinsic probing are what gives a film a human quality and provide a viewer with texture and personal context. Unfortunately the film could have used an additional 25-30 minutes to explore these avenues. While I enjoyed the movie from start to finish, I just wish that there was a little bit more to sink my teeth into in terms of real human experience/emotion; something more to relate to.

Despite some very minor problems it was easy to be swept into this world that brings a lot of questions to light that I never would’ve explored before. In the business world of today, one generally thinks white collar, blue collar family men or the dot com’ers. Usually (always?) the less respected class of people trying to make a living out there are overlooked in these types of stories; whether it be from a financial point of view or from a 21st century, career strategy point of view. Leave it to Soderbergh to have the courage, ingenuity, ability and experimental spirit to take a stab at this unique look at a career choice that’s been seen in countless films, but never from this particular angle or point of view. And certainly never done this well. As the half-way point of 2009 draws ever closer, it’s safe to say that The Girlfriend Experience is my favorite film of the year so far.