THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE

With Sasha Grey, Chris Santos, Philip Eytan, Ron Stein, Peter Zizzo,

Written by David Levien, Brian Koppelman & Jim Kempner
Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Soderbergh is quite a director. On the one hand he makes the big budget bill paying blockbusters like the Oceans series, then he hits the real marrow of fascinating indie movie-making and human stories with a very natural feel like this.

Set in New York with the recession affecting everyone, the central couple consists of a freelance gym instructor, and his girlfriend who is an escort. She is trying to raise her profile to get a higher paying clientèle. With a jumbled editing style, details are revealed on the state of their relationship, a lot of it via her chatting at a restaurant with a journalist who wants to hear more about what makes her tick and how she manages her career.

Truly fascinating with a very convincing (unknown) cast.

5 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice