Movie Review - Side Effects

Title: Side Effects

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum & Catherine Zeta-Jones

Released: 2013

Rating: ★★★ 1/2

I have been meaning to watch this movie for quite a while as I was intrigued from the first time I watched the trailers, and I am also quite a fan of Rooney Mara's work. I can say that I was quite surprised with how the story unfolded. So here I am to share my thoughts:

So 'Side Effects' is a psychological thriller which is based around a girl named Emily (Rooney Mara). It is shown that Emily is struggling with extreme depression and is constantly taking a variety of different prescription drugs in order to help cure it, none of which are taking effect. At the beginning of the film, we also see that Emily's husband Martin (Channing Tatum), has just returned after four years in prison.
After Emily is prescribed a certain drug which is new on the market, the side effects cause Emily to do something (which I won't spoil), which creates a dramatic turn of events (events which when I saw I was like @%&$!!!).
Jude Law also plays Emily's psychiatrist, the man who prescribed the drug to Emily, but I can't really say a lot more about his character without spoiling a lot of the movie.
The rest of the movie unfolds from the 'event', which I won't spoil, so I can't really say much more about the plot of the movie.


- - -

Whoa.. this movie is definitely a bit of a mind boggler. The story takes a shocking turn very early on, and from then on it takes you on a crazy roller-coaster ride. I didn't really know who to trust while watching the movie, and although I had a few suspicions, I definitely didn't realise what the 'big twist' was until it was revealed. The story keeps you on your toes till the very end, and the plot was quite well thought out.

One aspect I really liked about the movie was the lighting and colouring used. It almost gave the movie this eerie, kind of hospital or clinic type feel, which definitely suited the storyline. I also loved the way this movie was directed, I have never watched any of Steven Stoberbergh's films, and now I think I am going to have to check out his other work!

Can I also say that Jude Law was pretty smoking in this film (as always)? Rooney Mara also did an exceptional job, it was terrific acting as expected.
Channing Tatum wasn't really much, I mean he did an okay job, but nothing too stand out.

The only fault I found in the movie, was the way that the plot unravelled at the end, as I feel that there wasn't enough build up to the final twist, and when it was revealed, it was a little rushed, and I wasn't on the edge of my seat as I was when I watched other psychological thrillers such as 'Shutter Island' (Bloody amazing movie. Go watch it, you will be changed!).

Anyhow, I enjoyed watching Side Effects, and found that it was quite unique, had great acting and amazing directing. Three and a half stars.

I would be really curious to hear your opinions on the movie if you have seen it, or are thinking about watching.. or if you really don't care. So leave comments down below telling me what you think! :)

Thanks for reading
-Bee x