When we meet Emily (Rooney Mara) she is picking up her husband, Martin (Channing Tatum) from prison. He was sentenced to four years for inside trading.
Once living the high life, the couple are now reduced to sharing a small apartment in a not so very fashionable New York City neighborhood.
Martin takes this all in stride. He believes that one day soon, he’ll be back on top.
Emily, on the other hand, is not doing too good. That’s especially obvious when she drives her car into a brick wall and winds up in the hospital.
After her failed suicide attempt, psychiatrist, Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) is called in to consult on Emily’s case. Desperate not to be hospitalized, Emily agrees to a regimen of therapy and antidepressants.
When the first set of pills don’t work, Banks prescribes a new medication that quiets her demons. Unfortunately, the side effects of the drug has chilling consequences for Emily, her husband and even for…Banks.
Side Effects, directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies and Videotape) and written by Scott Z. Barnes (Contagion, The Bourne Ultimatum) is what I’d call a provocative thriller filled with suspense and and twists and turns that you won’t see coming.
You really have to pay close attention to what’s going on. In other words, don’t leave to buy popcorn.
The cast,including Catherine Zeta Jones as Emily’s former shrink are all excellent and the film even manages to get satrical in regards to the harmeuctical industry and our pill popping society.
I gave ‘Side Effects’ 3 1/2 bagels out of 5. The film opens Friday, February 9, 2012 and if you’re a fan of Soderbergh and this genre, definitely see it.
Watch our video to find out John’s thoughts and his bagel score.
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