frukuk If this film is essentially about Dr Banks' loss of control and whether he can regain it, then the film fails because he never really seriously loses control.To care about whether Dr Banks can regain control, I needed to see and really feel that he'd lost control, but I never did. I'm not sure if this is down to the script, the direction or Jude Law's performance; but the whole film is rather unaffecting, so it seems to be more of a systemic issue (e.g. script and/or direction).Overall, things felt rather pre-ordained, as if each character was simply doing what was necessary to move the plot along to the required conclusion.

Stephen Bird An all too real possibility of what can happen when you're under the influence of drugs, even prescription drugs; "Side Effects" hit home hard with me purely because I am on the same kind of medication poor Emily was subjected to in this film. Well thought out and well made, "Side Effects" doesn't show off or dazzle as films generally try to do, instead it's a wake up call for people in reality..., there's a fantastic twist to the tale in the end, that Emily was faking depression and mental illness in order to knowingly murder her husband.The acting was great especially from Jude Law, although Rooney Mara seemed to be disinterested at times and appeared to be just going through the motions; Channing Tatum is a fine young actor with bagfuls of talent, it was a shame to see him killed off before the film really started to pick up, although this of course was a necessity.The film promised to be a bit a dull so thank goodness for the amazing plot twist during the final third, it helped notch the overall film up a few points. Indeed the beginning was something of a screw you to pharmaceutical companies, until the plot swerved away from that device with its clever twist.It was sad to see Hollywood using mental illness as a subject for a plot, especially when they pretty much butchered it like they did, other films have used the subject of mental health in a far more respectful way, it was way borderline for sure.

midas-jacobs "Side Effects" is about Emily Taylor, whose husband gets out of jail. But, she gets depressed. Herefor she goes to a doctor called John Banks. After they meet, everything starts to go hill, and the doctor gets involved in things he didn't want to...This movie is directed by Steven Soderbergh. He has directed some good movies, "Traffic" for example, but also some bad ones like "Haywire", that movie was just laughable, even the fight scenes. I've just seen a bit of that movie and it was funny as heck. But let me tell you something about this movie. This movie is one of his good ones. He did a fantastic job at directing it, and I really like his style. The cinematography was also fantastic. Every shot looked pretty. This wasn't only done by the cameramen, of course, this also came thanks to the wonderful director. Als the color choices helped with this. The use of focus was also fantastic. In the scene where John tells Emily that she get's some kind of drug in her system, to test if she's lying. Well, in that scene it's used very good, it gives you the view that Emily would have had; everything feels like it's fading away, yet the thing you focus on is still there. The soundtrack, done by Thomas Newman. Props to him, because he made every tense scene become more tense, and the feel of the movie really got created by the music. The editing too was great. I very much liked the switch when the car hit the wall in the beginning of the movie. It felt abrupt, but gave you a little shock, and again, the camera, lighting and coloring were great to in this scene.The acting overall was good. The main character of "Side Effects" is, like I said, Emily Taylor. A girl with a depression, as us is told in the beginning of the movie. Emily was played by Rooney Mara. A great actress overall, but in this movie she really sells it. She was scary near the end, how emotionless, yet powerful she was. Her character was very intriguing and interesting. She was one of my favorite characters. Rooney was fantastic. But around the middle of the movie the protagonist changes, and now the doctor becomes the main character. This is John Banks. He was played by Jude Law. I haven't seen a lot of his movies, but by his performance in this movie alone I can say without a doubt that he is one fantastic actor. I actually liked him more than Rooney, and I think that he acted way better too. He was in fact the best actor in this movie, in my opinion. Channing Tatum played the husband of Emily. He is one of the problems i have with "Side Effects". His character wasn't well developed at all. But more on that later. His acting was fine. The acting capability of Tatum isn't great, but this was good for him. Another bigger role was played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. She played the first psychiatrist where Emily went to. She was good too. The supporting cast was also quiet good. There were some exceptions that weren't great, but they didn't really have an impact on my viewing experience. Just someone I want to mention in the part of my review is the actress of Johns wife. She was very good, and that's why I think I should mention her. She was played by Vinessa Shaw.The writing/script was the star of this movie. It was one well written movie, I can tell you that. The dialogue was interesting to listen to, and you were wondering what would happen next. The story was also constructed very well. You were continuously guessing what was really going on, sometimes I thought that John might have mental problems himself. It was a very fun experience. Another thing that I liked, was the tension. In most movies they try to create this with shaky cam, to cover up the bad movie, or they try to do it with a bunch of action. In this movie, though, they do it with a fantastic script. The directing and music of course help with this to, but mostly the things they say move the story, and make you sit on the edge of your seat. The characters were well developed, and we get to know them through the story, but only one character doesn't get developed that much, and this is Channing Tatums character. He gets killed of in the middle of the movie, by Emily. You were supposed to be sad that he died, but you didn't get to know him well enough. I was shocked in that scene though, not thanks to the death, but thanks to the killer, because it was very unexpected. The twist in the ending was also fun, and well thought true. And before I forget to mention, the rest of the characters were in fact well developed, only Tatums wasn't. Just to be clear.Thanks for reading this review. It was a very good movie, except for Tatums character, and that costs the movie half a point for me.9.5/10

freemantle_uk From the minds of Steven Soderbergh and Scott Z. Burns is the psychological thriller Side Effects, using the world of psychiatry and American healthcare as its setting.Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara) is a woman suffering from depression whose husband (Channing Tatum) is released from prison for inner trader. After a suicide attempt Emily goes to see a psychiatrist, Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) who prescripts her a new antidepressant. But the antidepressant has side effects and after Emily commits a crime and Dr. Banks' life starts to fall apart because of it. Yet Banks suspects foul play and has to play detective to figure out the truth.Running at 100 minutes Side Effects is a taut little thriller that twists and turns constantly, turning from a drama about mental issue to a legal drama and finally the detective story. Rooney Mara was absolutely brilliant as Emily suffering the quiet despair of depression, having a distance look on her face, keeping her problems to herself as she contemplates ending it all. It was brilliant portrayal of someone suffering from the condition and along with her performance in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo shows how great an actress she is and how is able about to encapsulate characters will issues.Side Effects starts as a drama about mental issues and evolves into a thriller. Soderbergh and Burns make sure there are many different avenues and plot threats to keep us guessing. Ideas introduced into the film is Dr. Banks being overworked, Banks being paid by a pharmaceutical companies to trial drugs and having his own issues ahead of his patients and a corporate conspiracy. The theme of people with depression are really just given a cocktail of drugs to treat their condition instead of actually looking for any long term cure and how people in mental health wards are stigmatised and how their behaviour is interpreted differently in those conditions.Side Effects shares a premise with the legal thriller Primal Fear where Banks has to figure out what was the cause of the crime and whether Emily is telling the truth about her condition.Side Effects is supposedly meant to be Soderbergh's last film. If it turns out to be true then at least with Side Effects that is a smart thriller that has plenty of mainstream appeal.