Review of Side Effects (2013) by Braden S — 27 Jul 2013

Side Effects is (probably) Steven Soderbergh's final film as a director. It is once again has something to do with medication, except it now involves psychosis rather than viruses. For a psychological thriller, the story provides unpredictably strange turns. To stray away from being a typical thriller, Soderbergh once again serves a much interesting way to deliver. It would have been simply entertaining until the director's style transcends the fascination of the mystery. Side Effects understands every oddness that was embedded in the plot and displays them in quite slick ways.

The story pretty much tricks the viewers for juxtaposing between the lives of the two main characters. It asks which one is the conspirator and which one is the victim. Well, neither of them are particularly innocent. They both suffer by the obsession of knowing the truth behind their cases, leading them to commit unusually bad things. It's a gripping storytelling of portraying its mysteries and moral ambiguity. The film is also terrific in fleshing out its characters. As a Soderbergh film, this film surprisingly didn't cheat the audience by its big cast names, unlike his last three films. Most of the cast, even the supporting ones, did a lot in this one. Each of the two leads give an infectious performance. Rooney Mara is striking for credibly showing the condition of her character. Jude Law made his character worth rooting for.

Soderbergh's style is always compelling, but this one just fits on everything he does. This is a thriller, but the film doesn't necessarily aims to be horrific or scary. But when it goes to that point, it's either you won't entirely notice it, or it just instantly becomes nerve-wracking. The film generally looks stunning. The cinematography is still captivating and the camera chooses many interesting angles. These are the images that you may only see from the director.

Among the four, Side Effects is Soderbergh's best movie of the decade. Although, it's not perfect nor really his best ever, but it's a magnificent little farewell(if it's really his last film). As a movie itself, it's a terribly entertaining film with pulpy thrills and snazzy filmmaking. There are points that can be a bit ridiculous, but the style really blinds you from it. Overall, Side Effects is an excellent and smart fancy thriller where the director do what he does best while the others just keeps brimming it to life.