The Girlfriend Experience

Director Steven Soderbergh, who bounces between flashy mainstream entertainment like Ocean's Eleven and smaller, experimental films like this one, deserves credit for trying something well off the beaten path. The Girlfriend Experience is a topical story commenting on 2008's financial meltdown and presidential campaign—from the point of view of a Manhattan hooker, played (in an inspired bit of intuitive but daring casting) by popular porn star Sasha Grey (whose credits include Anal Acrobats 3 and Face Invaders 4). When Chelsea's (Grey) not engaged in day-to-day banal behavior (shopping, eating, primping), the call girl is enduring endless prattle—some of which revolves around the deepening economic angst—from the people around her. The dialogue here is largely improvised, so there's considerable meandering within the loose confines of what passes for a plot in this chronicling of a week-shy period in the life of coolly composed hustler Chelsea. Grey comes across as both articulate and intelligent, but without a real script or sharply defined characterization to work from, she's incapable of anchoring The Girlfriend Experience, which ultimately feels more like a curio than a satisfying movie. Film fan note: look for former Premiere critic Glenn Kenny as a sleazy blogger who offers to give Chelsea a good review in his online compendium of local erotic services for sale. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the unrated alternate cut of the film, audio commentary by director Steven Soderbergh and star Sasha Grey, an HDNet behind-the-scenes featurette (5 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an uneven film.] (E. Hulse)