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By Chris Gore

Not every one will be able to abide by the advice provided on the teaser poster for The Girlfriend Experience suggesting one “see it with someone you f—.”  Unless that includes oneself, which may describe most of the audience hoping to see adult film star and sexual pioneer Sasha Grey in action.  But before discussing the merits of this Steven Soderbergh film (best known as the director behind indies like Sex, Lies & Videotape and Hollywood blockbusters like the Ocean’s film series), let me answer the obvious questions:

• Yes, Sasha gets naked.
• Yes, she plays a high-priced call girl.
• Yes, the HD cinematography is exquisite and Sasha looks the best she ever has.  (Okay, that’s one for the movie geeks.)
• No, the sex is not explicit.  In fact, there’s not much sex to speak of.
• No, the nudity is not particularly erotic.
• Yes, there is a gang bang scene with double penetration.  Wait!  Correction.  There is no gang bang scene with double penetration, um, that’s a completely different DVD.  Sorry.
• Most importantly, YES!  Sasha Grey can act.

Sasha plays Chelsea who charges powerful men money for sex and her time.  But the time is often spent listening to her client’s troubles with work and money rather than having sex.  Chelsea is unique in that she maintains a relationship with her live-in boyfriend Chris.  He is a personal trainer who, in a strange way shares a parallel client-trainer relationship with Chelsea – they both listen to problems about money.  Conflict arises when Chelsea feels a connection with a client who wishes to go on a weekend getaway, something that is outside the boundaries of her relationship with Chris.  The narrative bounces backwards and forwards as Chelsea slowly reveals at least a part of herself to a journalist seeking insight into her unique lifestyle.

Soderbergh’s genius in making this low-fi indie character study is all about the casting of Sasha Grey.  Aside from Sasha’s amazing performance, what struck me most is how timely the film felt – everything from the bailout to Wall Street’s collapse to Obama is explored. The film was shot around October and many of the non-actors in the cast were clearly encouraged to speak about what was happening in the news at the time.  This adds a meaningful backdrop to the story as Chelsea deals with not only the weight of her own problems, but those of her clients.

Oh, and to answer one final question: Yes, you should see the film with someone you f—.  But if you have to see it alone, well, then go f— yourself because it’s well worth it.

3.50 (2 votes)

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