Medicine has always been one of the scariest things to me. You simply never know what's going to happen once you digest a pill. Hell---my dad almost died from taking Januvia a few years back. The new thriller Side Effects may not be an amazing film but it does explore both the dangers of medicine and the trustworthiness of doctors in an engaging and smart fashion. Many people have claimed that this is going to be Steven Soderbergh's last film. If this is the case...let the man go out on a fairly high note than have him screw up later.
The film stars Rooney Mara as Emily. Her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum) just got out of jail and is seeing a psychiatrist for her anxiety. The psychiatric, Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) prescribes her anxiety pills that have unusual side effects. The main thing is her abnormal habit of sleepwalking which leads to some pretty dangerous situations. All the while...Jonathan may or may not be in cahoots with Emily's former psychiatrist, Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones.)
The acting in this film is exceptional. Everyone from Tatum to Law to Zeta-Jones brings their A-game. The most exceptional performer here, however, is Mara. She is completely believable as the woman who does not seem to be in control of her own self. As well---the screenplay by Scott Z. Burns reminds me of something that Alfred Hitchcock may have churned up in his hey-day. The directing by Soderbergh is perfect. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and has many subtle hints within it.
Side Effects is not the cream of the crop as far as Soderbergh's career goes. If I had to choose my favorite film of his...it would be between King Of The Hill, Sex Lies And Videotape and Out Of Sight. However...Side Effects may be the most disturbing film that Soderbergh has ever made and I'd be lying if I said that wasn't something.
(4 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for sexuality, nudity, violence and language)
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