A Reel Review: SIDE EFFECTS

 

Steven Soderbergh has had a very diverse and successful career in the movies; having directed popular hits such as OCEAN’S ELEVEN and TRAFFIC, and producing Oscar favorites like MICHAEL CLAYTON and GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK. Soderbergh, now at the age of 50, has recently hinted at retiring from the business. If that be true, then his newest directorial effort, SIDE EFFECTS, should one day be remembered as one of his finest efforts.

Emily (Rooney Mara) has a husband (Channing Tatum) who is just getting out of prison for insider trading. Struggling with the adjustment to a new life, Emily winds up in the care of Dr. Banks (Jude Law), who prescribes her several prescriptions to combat her depression. Emily suffers through some depressive episodes and serious side effects, causing Dr. Banks to seek the advice of Emily’s former doctor, Dr. Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones).

The above plot synopsis doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of SIDE EFFECTS, as the plot is anything but simple. The film starts off as Emily’s story, as she struggles with her depression and suffers through the effects of the many drugs she is prescribed. Steven Soderbergh, with his magnificent command of the camera lens, puts together one cliffhanger after another; making us wonder if Emily will survive simple things such as chopping vegetables or waiting for a train.

After a series of shocking twists, SIDE EFFECTS takes an interesting, yet dramatic change in tone. The film switches focus from Emily to Dr. Banks in a LAW AND ORDER styled fact-finding narrative, as the many parties look into who is responsible for Emily’s troubles; the drugs, the prescribing doctor, or Emily herself. The shift in tone is dramatic and takes some getting used to, for at this point we are certainly emotionally involved and connected with Emily. However, SIDE EFFECTS has a great many pieces and parts in motion, and sticking through it all will bring some shocking, yet rewarding reveals by movie’s end.

Acting is tremendous throughout. Jude Law turns in what is probably his best performance, and is certainly a treat to see him in what can be considered a leading-man role; quite a change from only hearing him provide voiceovers for a certain super-computer with artificial intelligence. Channing Tatum doesn’t have much of a character and is instead mostly a placeholder, and Catherine Zeta-Jones goes to some interesting places we haven’t seen from her before. The film is absolutely owned by Rooney Mara, who makes her character believable and commands the story every second she is on screen.

The good guys wind up winning in the end to provide a happy ending, however the methods that the good guys took to obtain that happy ending doesn’t make the wrap seem all that happy; you honestly feel like taking a shower after spending time with these characters. SIDE EFFECTS will hang with you long after you leave the theatre, and that is the mark of a master storyteller.

BOTTOM LINE: See it