Side Effects

It’s a shame that a director with a track record like Steven Soderbergh’s wants to quick filmmaking at the young age of 50, but, if Side Effects is to be his last film, at least he’s going out with a winner.

If you’ve been following my blog, you know I don’t like to divulge plot lines, so I’ll just say that Channing Tatum’s character Michael Taylor is just out of prison for money insider trading and his wife Emily, played by Rooney Mara, is being treated for depression with a variety of drugs, the latest of which has unexpectedly dangerous side effects.

The film has the late-‘90s feel of Soderbergh’s Out of Sight and a battle of wits reminiscent of Primal Fear.

Jude Law is, as usual, solid as Emily’s psychiatrist, but the pleasant surprise is Rooney Mara, whose acting chops have vastly improved since her over-hyped portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Catherine Zeta-Jones is, also, sufficiently spooky as Emily’s previous psychiatrist, Dr. Victoria Siebert.

If you enjoy thrillers without all the bang-bang effects of most current fare, you’ll definitely enjoy Side Effects.  I give it a 4 out of 5 for the fan base.