Review 242: Side Effects

 

Side Effect's is the latest thriller from veteran, non-stop director Steven Soderbergh and it's a real thought-provoking 

As the film opens, we meet a young woman, Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara fresh off of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Her husband Martin (Channing Tatum) has been released from prison after completing a four year sentence for inside trading. 

As we learn, Emily has been under care before with shrink Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones), but the 

The screenplay by Scott Z. Burns (the excellent The Bourne Ultimatum and who previously collaborated with Soderbergh on the gripping Contagion) features plenty of twists and surprises as well as social themes. 

There's an almost Hitchcockian influence that can be felt throughout the film with a splash of Adrian Lyne 

it deals with real life subjects such as depression and drugs and it's constantly throwing you off the scent and it shows that nothing is always what it appears to be in a situation and Jude Law's character is at the center of the whole scene trying franticly to figure out what is what, he's in his own private hell e.g. trying to keep his overall life together as well as trying to solve the murder. As Banks says "A phychologist once said "Depression is an inability to construct a future." 

The film also forces us to ponder some pretty Was it the pills that killed Martin, or was it Emily? Who will Dr. Jonathan Banks protect: Emily, or hie reputation? And you'll also find that it's a story about greed.

Director Steven Soderbergh's direction is stylish, the way the camera glides over the 

the cinematography is gorgeous, tones of gorgeous lighting  the production design is crafty, the score by Thomas Newman is majestic, the costumes are authentic, the make up is rich and beautifully detailed, the props are great and the ending was superb.

The acting is fantastic, Ronney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law and Catherine Zeta-Jones deliver outstanding performances.

At the beginning of the film, Emily   Emily claims to be suffering from depression but she comes across as fundamentally disturbed person. 

John Banks is a psychiatrist From his point of view, Emily is a victim of circumstance and biology - or so we’re lead to believe. 

Vinessa Shaw, Scott Shepherd

Side Effects is a sensationally effective, smart, clever thriller filled with plenty twists and turns and another assured effort from director Steven Soderbergh, 4/5.

The Anonymous Critic.