A young, depressed woman has her life collapse around her when the drugs she was prescribed by her psychiatrist have some extremely unwanted side effects.
Soderbergh’s self-proclaimed ‘last movie’, Side Effects owes a large debt to the classic thrillers of the 1950s, and almost glorifies itself as being Hitchcockian in style and tone. A winding narrative that initially delivers some intriguing twists and turns, unfortunately ends up in contrived places.
Performances were solid from Law and Mara, as psychiatrist and patient, however Tatum was redundant and Zeta Jones, Law’s psychiatrist friend, overacted her way throughout. Fortunately the cinematography and score kept the movie compelling, regardless of its flaws.
Side Effects was a decent enough watch, especially for free on a transatlantic flight, however it won’t blow any minds. You’re honestly better off searching out some Hollywood Era Hitchcock.
PSA, end of word count: Apologies for dropoff of content, Lauren is on holiday and I have moved to San Francisco for 2 months. We promise to get back on top of things ASAP!
FRAME RATES 
“Apologies for dropoff of content, Lauren is on holiday and I have moved to San Francisco for 2 months. We promise to get back on top of things ASAP!”
CHOP CHOP!!
Incentive! I haven’t stopped watching movies since I have been here so there are a number of reviews in the pipeline! The Poughkeepsie Tapes is one of them…
Sweet! I’ve wanted to see that for some time – looking forward to it ~
A very crazy movie, but it’s so much fun that you can’t help but enjoy it all. Good review.
I really did enjoy it for many points of the movie, especially the Psycho-inspired scene near the beginning, but by the end I thought ‘enough is enough’! Thanks by the way!
Agreed! Decent enough but gets too wrapped up in itself and becomes a bit of a mess. Decent performances though, Zeta-Jones aside.
Indeed. The score was bloody excellent though, and it did feel, at points, like I was watching a studio era thriller.
“Zeta Jones, Law’s psychiatrist friend, overacted her way throughout.”
I so agree with you on that one.
I know, right!? Totally unbelievable as someone who is supposed to understand the human psyche, being an absolute crazy woman throughout!
I enjoyed this one. Zeta Jones got on my nerves, though. Oh, and Channing Tatum but he always does. 🙂
You say that but I thought he was amazing in Magic Mike, and in 21 Jump Street he was alright as well! But Zeta, she is not good anymore and should feel bad for her performance.
I’ve not actually seen either of those movies. Maybe I should give him another chance. 😉