Review of Side Effects (2013) by Stefano L — 21 May 2014

If you have not seen Side Effects and there is any chance you might watch it I would encourage you to stop reading after this first paragraph. This is one of those films that is virtually impossible to talk about effectively without spoilers. However, if any of the plot is spoiled for you going in I think it will ruin your experience watching the film. The writer and director crafted the film in such a way that they continuously manipulate you as a viewer. Your opinions of the characters will regularly shift, in fact your entire understanding of what type of film you're watching will bounce around more than once. This is both the greatest thing and the worst thing Side Effects has going for it. I love when the story is able to surprise me, and I was genuinely thrown for a loop multiple times while watching. The movie kept me guessing and that made it an extremely memorable viewing experience. Sadly, because most of my enjoyment came from the way the story affected me, I don't suspect it will be worthwhile watching more than once or twice. When you know the whole story it can remove much of the intrigue. Still it was very enjoyable for that one-time view, so I'll recommend it. SPOILERS COMING...

Rooney Mara is the protagonist from the beginning, which was really starting to bug me. I think she played the depression well, but her monotone delivery made it hard to root for her. When the movie transitioned into the second and third acts I was delighted to find that Jude Law was actually the protagonist. His performance was spectacular. I could almost read his mind each time he was experiencing something new. His despair when his life was falling apart, his obsession when he thought he was set up, his confusion when he thought he had it all wrong, even his vindictiveness when he discovers the truth. Just an all-around great character. What surprised me was the flatness of Catherine Zeta-Jones' performance. I usually think of her as a fairly good actress, but she just seems awkward and out of her element throughout most of the film. Perhaps some of her dull performance was to disguise how much she really knew and was involved in the whole story (although I should have known because they wouldn't bring in a big name actress for a mere consultant.) Finally, all I can say is "Hallelujah!" because Channing Tatum, aka the actor who's as expressive as a plank of wood, was not around for much of the film.

Soderbergh really had me going in this film. I was watching along, content that I was going to see a tale about depression, therapy, and anti-depressant drugs. It was kind of dull, but I was trying to get something out of it. Then, out of nowhere, we have a murder. Now I think I'm watching a movie about a trial and the evils of big pharmaceutical companies. Then suddenly the trial is over and I find myself in the midst of a potential conspiracy plot and a man losing his grasp on his life and even his own mind. This winding trail of plot lines was crafted perfectly to always keep me on my toes, from the moment the knife pierced skin until the conclusion. On top of this they play with your mind when it comes to character traits. In one minute I'm 100% behind Jude Law, and then a moment later I'm questioning if he's going too far. This whole film was brilliantly constructed so that every step of the way the viewer can't settle in and make assumptions. When everything is revealed at the end, it turns out the story isn't all that interesting, it's the journey on the way there that makes Side Effects something special to watch. Not one of my all-time favorites, but a definite surprise and one I'd gladly watch again to see if there are any subtle points I missed.