Side Effects
2.5/4
Starring: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum
Rated R for Sexuality, Nudity, Violence and Language
"Side Effects" is what happens when the screenwriter and director are not on the same page (ironically, this is the third collaboration between writer Scott Z. Burns and director Steven Sodebergh...the other two being "The Informant!" and "Contagion," respectively). Burns's script is a cross between "Primal Fear" and "Basic Instinct," while Sodebergh thinks the film is more cerebral and an examination of guilt and responsibility. The result is a film that, while never uninteresting, doesn't really work.
Emily Taylor (Mara) is feeling a mixture of happiness and anxiety. Her husband Martin (Tatum) is about to be released from a 3 year prison term for insider trading. Both love each other very much, and are determined to work together to get back on their feet. That's when Emily's clinical depression sets in, and after she drives her car into a brick wall, she's put on antidepressants by a kind doctor, Jonathan Banks (Law). Nothing seems to work until she tries the new wonder drug, Ablixa, which helps considerably, although it has some serious side effects.
Because "Side Effects" is, at its essence, a thriller, I must be vague. There are a number of twists and turns in the plot, as their must be, but because of the disconnect between Burns and Sodebergh, they come across as clumsy and poorly-motivated. To it's credit, the film starts out strong. The characters are real and well-acted, and the film doesn't talk down to its audience. It's when it moves into thriller territory that the film runs into trouble.
Like in every Sodebergh movie, the acting is exceptional. Whether it's Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich," or Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike," Sodebergh has proven himself to be a master director of actors. Rooney Mara, in her first major film since her Oscar-nominated performance in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" remake, is terrific as the depressed Emily. It's a complicated role, although I can't say more than that. Jude Law continues his ride back to fame with another strong performance, despite being given an underwritten role. Banks is a man who simply wants to do the right thing. Catherine Zeta-Jones is perfectly mysterious as Emily's last psychiatrist. Channing Tatum gives another outstanding performance as Martin as well.
It's about halfway through the film that the film turns into a mystery/thriller, and while it never falls flat on its face, it stumbles quite a bit. The lead character's motivations are weak for what amounts to an obsession, and there are far too many twists in the final reel. It never seems to want to end.
Supposedly, this is going to be Steven Sodebergh's final film (although he now has a movie for ShoTime in the can about Liberace and his lover). If so, which I doubt for some reason, he will be missed. "Side Effects" isn't the swan song we'd hope for, but it's a respectable final project from one of Hollywood's most interesting filmmakers.
Starring: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum
Rated R for Sexuality, Nudity, Violence and Language
"Side Effects" is what happens when the screenwriter and director are not on the same page (ironically, this is the third collaboration between writer Scott Z. Burns and director Steven Sodebergh...the other two being "The Informant!" and "Contagion," respectively). Burns's script is a cross between "Primal Fear" and "Basic Instinct," while Sodebergh thinks the film is more cerebral and an examination of guilt and responsibility. The result is a film that, while never uninteresting, doesn't really work.
Emily Taylor (Mara) is feeling a mixture of happiness and anxiety. Her husband Martin (Tatum) is about to be released from a 3 year prison term for insider trading. Both love each other very much, and are determined to work together to get back on their feet. That's when Emily's clinical depression sets in, and after she drives her car into a brick wall, she's put on antidepressants by a kind doctor, Jonathan Banks (Law). Nothing seems to work until she tries the new wonder drug, Ablixa, which helps considerably, although it has some serious side effects.
Because "Side Effects" is, at its essence, a thriller, I must be vague. There are a number of twists and turns in the plot, as their must be, but because of the disconnect between Burns and Sodebergh, they come across as clumsy and poorly-motivated. To it's credit, the film starts out strong. The characters are real and well-acted, and the film doesn't talk down to its audience. It's when it moves into thriller territory that the film runs into trouble.
Like in every Sodebergh movie, the acting is exceptional. Whether it's Julia Roberts in "Erin Brockovich," or Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike," Sodebergh has proven himself to be a master director of actors. Rooney Mara, in her first major film since her Oscar-nominated performance in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" remake, is terrific as the depressed Emily. It's a complicated role, although I can't say more than that. Jude Law continues his ride back to fame with another strong performance, despite being given an underwritten role. Banks is a man who simply wants to do the right thing. Catherine Zeta-Jones is perfectly mysterious as Emily's last psychiatrist. Channing Tatum gives another outstanding performance as Martin as well.
It's about halfway through the film that the film turns into a mystery/thriller, and while it never falls flat on its face, it stumbles quite a bit. The lead character's motivations are weak for what amounts to an obsession, and there are far too many twists in the final reel. It never seems to want to end.
Supposedly, this is going to be Steven Sodebergh's final film (although he now has a movie for ShoTime in the can about Liberace and his lover). If so, which I doubt for some reason, he will be missed. "Side Effects" isn't the swan song we'd hope for, but it's a respectable final project from one of Hollywood's most interesting filmmakers.
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