Australian cinema doesn't have a great reputation for producing art house cinema – not one that often gets seen on the world stage at least – but this debut by director Julia Leigh, most definitely fits into that category.

Being a student can be quite a struggle financially. Lucy (Emily Browning) doesn't let it bother her though, as she's quite prepared to do a number of jobs to make sure the bills get paid. She works in an office as a photocopying girl, as well as cleans tables in a restaurant. And as if that wasn't enough, she also takes part in a weird scientific trial.

But despite all these jobs, it still doesn't seem to be quite enough. So when she sees an ad in the student paper, she applies for it. As it turns out, it's quite a peculiar interview; it shouldn't come as that much of a surprise however, as it's quite a peculiar position she's applying for, which is that of silver service, but with a difference.

She gets the job and soon finds herself having to dress in provocative lingerie, with other young women, whilst serving food and drinks to a seemingly exclusive group of elderly types. Still, it pays way better than any of her other jobs, so she doesn't complain.

The woman who hired her is so impressed with her particular skill set that she offers her the opportunity to participate in another position. This one sees Lucy having to partake of a drugged drink, with her consent, and fall asleep. Then whilst unconscious, an elderly man is allowed into the room and is allowed to do almost anything to her. With this position seeing yet another pay increase, Lucy doesn't even think about saying no. However, although she's initially nonchalant at the idea of not being aware of what happens to her in the room, her curiosity eventually gets the better of her.

I know my words can cut you like a knife but it's true, you do look like a refugee in that ghastly dressing gown.

Julia Leigh's film is a curious examination of one woman's need to support herself financially at the expense of offering herself physically – and certainly not emotionally – to strange old men. Her need for money is less curious than the reasons these men have to pay money to spend time with a sleeping beauty. It's this grey area that supplies the film's most disturbing scenes.

For most of the men it appears that it's their way of reconnecting with the concept of youth, one that seems so foreign to them all at the later stage of their lives. Lucy is just a lifeless vessel in which they can explore that concept, without fear of reprisals. It's difficult to ascertain what's more disturbing – the fact that these men would consider such an act, or that this type of service would be there for them to do so. It only reinforces the idea that if you've got enough money, you can do anything you want.

Leigh directs with a dominant stillness; the camera rarely moves, forcing the audience to take in what is put before them, whether they like it or not. It's nothing short of aggressive voyeurism.

But like many of the acts that Lucy encounters, the film has little in the way of soul. There's certainly no room for empathy.

Browning is extremely brave in the role; her nudity soon becomes less about her sexuality, and more about disconnecting with not only her peculiar work, but also with life itself. She has something about her that makes it difficult to take your eyes off of her, naked or not.

The film is underlined by a brutal silence – both physically and emotionally. This works well, for the most part, but it makes it difficult to really get a handle on Lucy's character. She's cool to the point of being cold, and even her interaction with others is devoid of any warmth.

For the first half of the film Leigh has the audience right where she wants them, not knowing where this scenario is heading. Unfortunately the second half, and most notably the film's finale, is a real let down. It feels more of a cop-out than a serious conclusion.

There's no denying that Leigh's film has its elegant moments, but sadly is suffers from being a tad pretentious overall to make any real lasting impact.