THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE (2009)

Directed, Edited & Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh Written By: David Levian & Brain Koppelman Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (Under The Alias Peter Andrews) Cast: Sasha Grey, Chris Santos, Philip Etyan Chelsea is a high-priced $2,000-an-hour call girl in Manhattan, offering a 'girlfriend experience': she'll dress with the client in mind, go to dinner and a movie, listen attentively to talk about work and finances, and she'll provide sex. It's October, 2008: a presidential election nears and the economy is in free fall. She has a boyfriend, Chris who's a personal trainer. We are shown five non-consecutive days in Chelsea's life. She's working on her Web page, talking to image consultants, and being interviewed by a reporter. She asks clients when their birthdays are and uses that for an astrological prediction. She's drawn to a new client, a writer from L.A. Should she break her rules for him? What if it risks her relationship with Chris? Should she invest in gold? This is a film I love/hate. I am truly a fan of it’s style, yet for the things I like about this film there is equally stuff that I hate. While I respect Director Steven Soderbergh sometimes it feels like a chore to sit through his films. Though they play out almost like Scripted documentaries which makes them feel real and makes the film like you are being taken in personally into the situations. Here is another of his films in which he aims for nautralism more then anything else. Hence the use of non professional actors. Also using a adult film star to play a high priced escort. I like the fact that the film is not told in chronological order. Which threw me off at first. But soon I got into the groove. The film like it’s characters looks great but comes off cold and distant. It only cracks sometimes from it’s façade to let you in. Which is why the shots are usually from long distances and away from the characters. Rarely is there a close up. This is a film more about or at least interested in style and how the movie is made then what is on screen as this film is experimental. A little more conventional then you would think. It’s shocking that the film is actually scripted. Though not too much considering the writers Previously wrote more plot specific scripts that were character studies to a point and usually explored the underground side of life and the characters you would find yourself surrounded by. Using lots of non actors. Here the film seemed more like set-ups and improved. I do love the fact of seeing many shots of the beautiful actress Sasha grey in expensive outfits and various situations. She is captivating and usually stars in adult films. If you thought there would be a lot of nudity or sex your best bet would be to rent one of miss grey’s other films. As there is little to none here. There is hardly any talk about it either. It’s more the façade, act and experience of the way she lives her life. The different clients their needs. How she runs her business and trying to expand. Which helps when most of the clients are rich businessmen but bad that this film takes place around the time of the economic crisis as her clients take a downturn. So does her success and personal life. The ending leaves a bit of hope for connection unfortunately it’s part of the act so how truthful is it? The scenes cross cut with the adventures of her physical trainer boyfriend. The movie more marvels with the technological as that and skill of production then the actual story or material. The one thing that transfixed me was Sasha grey. I would love to see her more in different theatrical films. Here she has more of a chance to be natural and not have to rely on what she is most famous for, but adds a little more to her character. The film gives off a polished chic look. To illustrate the world she is involved in. It is also crumbling as she is trying to expand her business when the market crashes and everyone is out of work and money. What is she to do to stay on top. An element if a actress took the role. You would be able to separate them from the character and make the film feel false but since it strives for artistic truth it was a master stroke casting her. She doesn’t disappoint. I know some complain about how flat her acting is. The character she plays isn’t very emotional so it actually works for the film. This film truly shows the life of excess and how overconfidence can lead to a downfall. Rent if you want to watch a challenging, not necessarily entertaining work. As you can see the film is more interesting in theory and the conversations it will inspire then the actual film. Grade: C+