Review of Side Effects (2013) by Dawdlingpoet — 25 Nov 2021

One of the first things I noticed about this film is that its quite claustrophobic and tense, generally speaking and (perhaps more specifically) its yet another film that seems to heavily use the yellow colour filter (if there is indeed one), giving it a somehow clinical or sickly feel to it.

Another element present from early on in the film is the music used - music which is quite hypnotic and definitely adds to the general claustrophobia. The music is mostly instrumentation - think the sort of tinkly spooky music you tend to hear on supernatural-esque shows, like 'Tales of the Unexpected' etc. although I would say that this film seemed (at least to me anyway) fairly more plausible than such TV shows may do. It has an almost other worldly feel to it.

Its quite unsettling to think that such violent behaviour may be possible while in a state of enforced sleepwalk. The fact that the medication she was taking at the time of the crime, had only just been legalised for use (or whatever the correct terminology is) in that country, I felt seemed quite plausible, in as much as there is often new treatments or medications put on the market which may bring about side effects in patients, ones which may not necessarily show up right away but after a while of having been prescribed.

I found the characters to be quite complicated, including that of Dr. Jonathan Banks - his many questions and doubts in relation to his patients background and the medication he felt somehow obliged to continue supplying to Emily. I found myself sharing the same questions and concerns as Dr. Banks and I cound certainly relate to some of the dialogue, talking about the many effects depression can have, as I have had if but a minor experience of that personally. The relationship between the two Doctors (Dr. Jonathan Banks and Dr. Victoria Siebert) is really quite icy throughout and indeed I'd say there's quite a strong sense of cat and mouse tactics, or mind play, present throughout. I suppose you could say they try to get in to each others minds, which is obviously ironic given their professional similarities/backgrounds. I couldn't help but think that both of them had a kind of desperation to be given (or seen to be given) the upper hand at different times.

In the end, not all things are accounted for or tied up as you may hope, so there is an element relying on you coming to your own conclusions, which some may find quite frustrating.

Overall, however, this is a film that I found quite engrossing. there are some fairly small details that seem, at the time, pretty unremarkable but that, as the film (or plot) progresses, their relevance and reasoning becomes more clear. Its certainly a film which carries a mystery element to it, as well as being very much of the drama and thriller genres as well.

Yes, I'd recommend this film as I felt it was quite chilling and tense and was well portrayed by a good cast. The musical score helped add to the sinister atmosphere and it was a film that kept me guessing throughout, in terms of what the final outcome would be.