Side Effects

Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Side Effects.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Written by Scott Z. Burns.

Review #202

MPAA Rating: Rated R for sexuality, nudity, violence and language.

Run Time: 106 min

Cast

Rooney Mara...Emily Taylor

Channing Tatum...Martin Taylor

Jude Law...Dr. Jonathan Banks

Catherine Zeta-Jones...Dr. Victoria Siebert

Vinessa Shaw...Dierdre Bank

Steven Soderbergh is an interesting film maker. He makes smart movies. Even his Oceans Eleven trilogy contained some level of intelligence. His talent rests with handling ensemble casts. Look at his library and the names he's collaborated with is pretty impressive. Side Effects is no different. Just a bit on the smaller scale. That doesn't make it any worse or better. However if this is Soderbergh's last directorial effort as it's rumored to be.

He goes out an a good note. I just wished it was a great one instead.

Plot

A young woman's world unravels when a drug prescribed by her psychiatrist has unexpected side effects. 

I could sum this movie up in 8 words.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned.

This film had so many good things going for it that it's hard to believe that the plot was as basic as they come. Unfortunately it's because of this I can't really get into any of the major details. That would ruin the entire film for you. What I will talk about is how Soderbergh was able to craft a been there done that story and make it fresh. The first way he accomplishes this is by using the time honored skill magicians use.

Misdirection.

As the film progresses you start to feel the direction it's headed then in a puff of smoke you are turned another way. All good thrillers employ this tactic and Side Effects does this very well. What makes it even better is the subtlety behind it's story turn. It doesn't announce to the world that it's coming or doesn't feel as obvious as it should be. If you're paying attention you can see it coming but you Sherlock Holmes the moment right before the film actually tells you anyway so bragging about your detective skills is a fruitless pursuit.

I don't say this to insult anyone. In fact what I am doing is complementing the film. Having seen so many good and bad mystery thrillers, the playbook is already in my hands before the theater lights dim. To pull this off was quite impressive. Of course we're talking about a very talented film maker who knows how to pull the audience's strings like puppets.

The cast was phenomenal. Headlined my Rooney Mara. Her star is shining brightly right now. Jude Law does most of the heavy lifting and after seeing the film compared to the trailers. His character was really taken behind the woodshed. It was good to see him play a normal dude after his last few roles. Including his portrayal of the scumbag blogger Alan Krumwiede in Contagion. He was such a dick in that film that it was a nice change of pace. The rest of the cast which is really small was equally strong. Everyone did their part to weave the story into the web of deception and intrigue that Side Effects was.

I really wished I could have said more about this but the movie gods deem it impossible.

On the 5 star scale. Side Effects gets 3.5 stars with a "Go See It!" recommendation.

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Dead Man Down.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"