Side Effects

The U.S. is probably one of the most medicated nations in the world today, so it's no wonder that Hollywood finally decided to delve into this much abused topic that most people just sweep underneath the carpet. Steven Soderbergh is a very passionate director, so it's no surprise that he helmed the intense thriller, "Side Effects".

This is a provocative thriller about a successful New York couple, Emily and Martin Taylor (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), whose world is turned upside down when a new drug prescribed by Emily's pychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law)--intended to treat anxiety--has unexpected side effects. Banks seeks for answers to Emily's issues, so decides to conasult with her previous pychiatrist, Dr. Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones) for possible answers.

Others to round out the cast are Vinessa Shaw as Dierdre Banks, Jonathan's wife, Ann Dowd as Martin's Mother, Peter Friedman as Banks Partner #1, and Laila Robins as Banks Partner #2.

This was brilliantly directed by Soderbergh ("Erin Brockovich" 2000, "Traffic" 2000, "Ocean's Eleven" '01, "Ocean's Twelve" '04, "The Good German" '06, "Ocean's Thirteen" '07, "The Informant!" '09, "Contagion" '11, "Haywire" '11, "Magic Mike" '12) in that the way Mara as Emily just deteriorated slowly, but before your eyes as these prescribed drugs were just ruining her life was amazing. We're talking about a normal young woman who went from happy to being institutionalized from the side effects these drugs were doing to her. Yes there were other situations that occurred that were difficult, but her world basically went down the toilet after she started taking these drugs. Her transformation was perfection from Soderbergh, not to mention that Mara is a very talented young actor. This was well written by Scott Z. Burns ("Pu-239" '06, "The Bourne Ultimatum" '07, "The Informant!" '09, "Contagion" '11). He really gave this topic a one, two punch showcasing what can and has been the outcome for ignoring a much important issue.

If you're on anti-depressives or anti-anxiety medications, you'll probably feel right at home feeling the same frustration as those that made this, but even if you're not on meds, one can still empathize with those that we know who are on these meds, and hope and pray that something possitve might, just might come out of the exposure of this film.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                      Rated: R                      105mins.