I like psychological thrillers. They keep me on the edge of my seat, but unlike some other genres, they don’t actually drop me off the
psychic edge. “Side Effects,” directed by Stephen Soderbergh (slated for semi-retirement) and due in theatres any day now, will definitely keep you wondering what’s going on. Reminiscent of “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” (but ha, with a different twist), you just don’t know who is pulling what strings until the very end.
The story involves a clinically depressed young woman, Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara), who seeks the help of a psychiatrist (Jude Law) and a boatload of prescription drugs. The film also stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as Emily’s previous therapist, and Channing Tatum as her oh-so-buff husband, so it’s not only a smart film, it’s pretty darn sexy at times.
It’s difficult to tell you much more without being a spoiler but suffice to say, it’s worth seeing. In fact I plan to see it again, but that’s partly to clear up some confusion. Such as a scene in which Law desperately seeks a character named Julia who is, as far as my husband and I can recall, never mentioned before or after the scene (in which he doesn’t find her). So there seem to be some casualties of the cutting-room floor but never mind, the terrific cast does an admirable job and there’s never a dull moment. And the ending is particularly satisfying, at least for some of the characters.
—Abigail Lewis
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