Side Effects

Release Date: Feb 08, 2013 
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min. 
Director: Steven Soderbergh 
Cast: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum.

The rules to a psychological thriller are discerningly simple: keep the mind engaged and the suspense on high. Some 'side effects' may include excessive thinking, feelings of disillusionment, or an accelerated heart rate. At least, that's the intention of Soderbergh's latest endeavor, a poignant braintwister and allegedly last, directorial feature. While finales are generally extravagant by any means necessary, his inclination towards subtlety is anything but that. Starring Jude Law and Rooney Mara in dramatically-charged performances, "Side Effects" delves deep into the extremities of doctor and patient relations. Much like "Contagion," the film thrives on self-inflicted paranoia, shifting its focus to the often controversial pharma industry where risks are neglected. Here, Mara as the drug-induced Emily Taylor plays victimization at its best, and she does it so effortlessly in her state of delusion. Law, correspondingly, is just as effectual, earning empathy in his role of misinterpreted guidance. But in spite of the perplexities that shroud the elusive plot line, the tension feels flaccid once the twist is ultimately revealed. It may be due to the pace that inadvertently dulls it down, as it's certainly not predictable at any given moment. Even so, Soderbergh still administers another thriller that leaves a lingering numbness. If what he says is true, the effect may be permanent.

Rating: 3½ stars