Girlfriend Experience

If you are looking for a big budget, Hollywood style film, you are out of luck. If you are looking for a big budget, Michael Moore style documentary, try again. There are no real action scenes, no real dramatic build ups to an exciting climax. This is exactly what it is supposed to be, a thoughtful documentary focusing on the part of an underground business and addiction that no one has tried to achieve before.

The first time I saw this movie I had the benefit of watching it with one of the actresses, who clearly explained to me before and during what the director was trying to do.

The next time I watched it, I tried to view it as a regular documentary and at that I think it did a great job, though I may still have been a little biased due to the first viewing.

Now, reading the Directors comments, it all makes perfect sense and I realize just how well done this movie really is. She really worked at making you see GFE from the John's perspective, not just from the prostitutes as most movies will do.

The movie itself is well shot and I did not see any really poor acting. Quite the opposite, it all felt real and yet not quite at the same time. Truly well done and I believe the director achieved the tone and style she was trying to create.

Intelligent creation by an up and coming independent film maker.

Pietrobruno's creation gives a unique perspective to the sometimes mystifying 'relationship' between client and service provider. Specifically: Why do men, many successful and committed to friends and/or family, seek out the 'Girlfriend Experience'?

Thought provoking, honest and beautifully shot, GFE is for a small audience not bored by cerebral and visceral participation with the film's characters and story, reminiscent of the early work of the indie pioneer, John Sayles.

We look forward to future projects from this brilliant Vancouver, BC based director and writer.

I think this is an excellent film. It's real, compelling, and intelligent. The editing pushes you along through the story with such smoothness; very well done. I actually laughed a couple times at how well some parts of the movie were cut together, you just don't see that sort of effort put in everyday. The viewer is vaulted from one scene to the next in such a seamless, but poignant way, it almost catches you off guard, while leaving you thinking it was just the way it should be. The acting is great, and it's such a unique perspective. David Lewis slaughters it. Stellar. He makes it come to life. Can't really fault the film in any way worth talking about. go see it.

Keywords on Ileana Pietrobruno's Girlfriend Experience: brilliant, assured, original; non-judgmental and daring. The subject of prostitutes and "johns" has never been approached like this, and the Vancouver locations create a great shadowy world.

Haven't seen the Soderbergh film of the same (similar?) title, but he would be hard pressed to top this Canadian wow-er. It's obvious that the filmmaker comes from the edit room (she edits documentaries and features) because the story and coverage are so perfect. Clearly a child of 20th century rep cinema, this is one of the best narrative works to borrow from -- and then explode -- documentary and reality conventions. Check it out.

Ultimately this is a depressing and boring movie about a sex addicts delusional self destruction. It's shot in a documentary style with several fake "re-enactment" scenes. If you enjoy watch people on a boring course of self-destruction you'll have fun. If you're sane you'll skip this car crash and not waste your time on this well crafted disaster of a movie. I suppose somebody needs to tackle this issues of this movie but the people who did this movie clearly did it for their own glory without any concerns about how they are torturing the audience that the are boring with their "art". This movie typifies what is WRONG with the "Indie" scene in that it's more of an ego fest of production talents rather than containing ANY entertainment value. You should skip it!