Side Effects Review

“Depression is the inability to construct a future” – Dr. Jonathan Banks

Steven Soderbergh’s cinematic swan song, ‘Side Effects’ is an intelligently crafted script that explores the world of anti-depressant pharmaceuticals and pokes a satirical finger at our society’s dependence upon such mood-manipulating medications.

The film revolves around Emily, a young wife who is struggling with depression and anxiety. Portrayed fabulously by a doe-eyed Rooney Mara, Emily is introduced to the audience as she waits for her husband Martin (Channing Tatum) to be released from prison. We learn that the once wealthy Martin has been incarcerated for four years. Despite her excitement to be reunited with Martin, upon his release Emily slips further in to the ‘poisonous fog’ of her mind and resorts to self-harm.

After a failed suicide attempt, Emily falls in to the care of Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law). When a number of the psychiatrist’s recommendations and the dispensing of anti-depressants fail to appease Emily’s broken mind, a new experimental drug is prescribed…  with initially successful results. However this prescription has a side effect of fatal proportions that subsequently leads to both Emily and Dr. Banks finding themselves in a position where they may lose everything they held dear. At this point the film switches from its initial slow speed – and at times almost deliberately boring – to the fast-paced ‘psychological’ thriller.

While at times bordering on preposterous , the topsy-turvy nature of the script is supported perfectly through Soderbergh’s unique docu-drama style of directing. The soft focus and dream-like feel of the camera perfectly encapsulates the hopelessness of the narcotic haze that Emily finds herself within. Shot primarily through an array of sickly greys, the films colour palette results in this member of the audience almost feeling as though I needed to be prescribed medication to recover from the debilitating – and very real – subject matter of the film.

Despite the occasionally implausible nature of the story, the audience is kept cloaked in suspense until the close of the final act due to the skill and clear character investment displayed by the formidable cast. Jude Law is particularly skillful as the arrogant Dr. Jonathan Burns, whilst Rooney Mara’s accurate portrayal of a broken woman is that of Academy Award winning calibre.

‘Side Effects’ paints a picture of a disturbing and overly medicated realm of the privileged urban whilst tackling the ethical and moral obligations associated with the damning nature of mental illness.

Score: 4/5