Renowned for his big budget Hollywood fare (Erin Brockovich, Oceans 11), Steven Soderbergh is also beloved by cinephiles for his unique, experimental cinema. The Girlfriend Experience is his latest foray into the independent arena; in his second low budget digital feature for HDNet (after 2005's Bubble) Soderbergh offers us a slice of life from high-class escort, Chelsea (Sasha Grey) as she navigates clients, business and love amidst the tumult of the Global Financial Crisis and the 2008 Presidential Election.
Much has been made of the fact that Ms. Grey is a real life adult film star. And though The Girlfriend Experience never ventures into that realm, there is clearly reflexivity at play with Soderbergh’s casting choices. The same goes for the scene stealing Glen Kenny as real-life film journalised turned erotic-connoisseur, who was evidently asked to channel prolific film blogger Harry Knowles.
So life imitates art, imitating life, which is quite the perfect for a film about the ultimate simulation: the Girlfriend Experience. However life also foisted its way further into Soderbergh’s film, which responds in real time to the market collapse. In fact this highly charged context provides a powerful analogy between the portrait of Chelsea, and the real whores of Manhattan – the corporate elite – who are captured in all their narcissistic glory en route to a lost weekend in Vegas.
Although shot in chronological order, Soderbergh creates a tapestry of referential edits, where a word or a throwaway line can trigger a cut to another scene. Indeed the film’s sophisticated cinematography - from the mix of warm and cool tones in the mise-en-scene, to Soderbergh’s subjective use of focus – is truly a joy to experience. Shot using available light, this film’s gorgeous visuals are certainly an advertisement for the enviable capabilities of the Red Camera.
And so sex and lies are back on videotape in Soderbergh's latest cinematic experiment. As an exercise in style, backed up by a truckload of contemporary, provocative politics, this film – girlfriend or no – is quite the experience.
4 Stars
2 comments:
Sooo jealous. I've really wanted to see this, but it hasn't played in my area (midwest US). I'll be catching it on DVD, probably.
Really? I would have thought Soderbergh would get a wide release in the US? Shame, but just make sure you catch it on a good TV to get the most out of his wonderful compositions.
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