I understand that everybody’s allowed their own interpretation of, like, stuff, but I have to admit I’m a little bemused by some of the reviewers who seem to believe that my casting as a rather unsavory internet escort reviewer in Steven Soderbergh’s The Girlfriend Experience constitutes some kind of smackdown of the entire film criticism racket. “Is that what you really think of us, Steven?” asks Scott Collura at IGN. Kirk Honeycutt says my casting constitutes “a clear shot at the critical profession.” And there’s more.
Like I said, everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I think Mr. Soderbergh himself is on to something when he calls such readings “a little narcissistic.” (There’s also the fact that, like, whaddya think I am, stupid? You think I would have participated in this project if I thought it was Soderbergh’s elaborate payback for my panning The Good German?) Now it’s true that many of the cast members of the film have roles therein which correspond to what they do in real life. Trainer, journalist, and so on. Now it’s also true that there are really guys who review escorts on the internet. Now consider, for a moment, the reaction you might get, were you to dig up one of these guys, and ask him to play a particularly villainous version of himself in an somewhat major motion picture.
I bring this up largely because of a real-life case that I was directed to by New York magazine writer Vanessa Grigoriadis, which you can read about here. Given that GFE was shot last October, I almost feel like I have to pat myself, Steven, and screenwriters Brian Koppelman and David Levien on the back a little bit. It appears we created a portrayal that was not only accurate, but somewhat prescient as well.
Just got back from seeing “The Girlfriend Experience,” Glenn, a rare indie film that I actually enjoyed and want to see again. Re the “criticism” leveled at you and Mr. Soderbergh, I personally find it flattering. Was Steven making some kind of less-than-subtle comment on the criticism profession? Perhaps. But so what! It’s inventive and playful and you are absolutely marvelous in the role – one of the film’s highpoints, in fact (especially your delicious voiceover late in the film). I’ve no idea if you have any acting training, Glenn, or if you improvised, but you sure know how to read dialogue. All that time sitting in the dark wasn’t wasted.
And re that criticism again, perhaps you can empathize with what Peter Bogdanovich went through in the ’70s when he dared to switch from criticism to filmmaking. The critics embraced him at first but, ultimately, it wasn’t a pretty sight. Simple envy, my good man. Anyway, congratulations. Well done.