The Girlfriend Experience

If you've been schooled in the films of Jean-Luc Godard you will see the influence of films like Sauve qui peut (la vie) or 2 ou 3 choses que je sais d'elle in The Girlfriend Experience. There are other influences to be sure, even including Soderbergh's influence as he also functions as the film's editor and cinematographer under different names.
The Girlfriend Experience examines prostitution from the viewpoint of economics so you're as likely to hear Wall Street types discussing investment strategies as you're as unlikely to see the star and object of the film Sasha Grey disrobed. At different times TGE feels like Soderbergh is going for IOUSA and Sex, Lies and Videotape with neither format winning control of the film's spine. Technically the film is raw in terms of its acting. The photography seems direct with unfiltered light (like in a scene set inside a private jet flying to Las Vegas). The soundtrack is overwhelmingly good dishing up cool instrumental tunes that propel the non-action.
Soderbergh cleverly switches back and forth in time through the non-linear narrative so while we know that some sort of argument has occurred between Grey and her boyfriend the actual exchange is only seen near the end of the film. Between their interaction in a cozy Gotham apartment we track Grey as she meets with a variety of clients or business advisors. "Invest in gold" is one mantra that pops up more than once.
The emphasis rests on the setting and mood of the characters. The time is right before the 2008 Presidential election. Whoever appears on screen with Grey seems more concerned with discussing stimulus packages than engaging in her escort services. As a result TGE unwinds more like an account of an affair that happened last summer. Memories and feelings are brought to the surface, sometimes comically, only to boil away to the hard economic reality of life.
While the rest of cinema seems to be eating and regurgitating itself with countless rewoven origin tales The Girlfriend Experience feels fresh. This is a film more concerned with breaking molds than feeding old habits.