Side Effects

I went on a movie purchasing binge at the local Family Video and walked away with Side Effects, Killing Them Softly, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Jackass 3, and Argo for $56, most of them on blu-ray. I'm very happy currently on the purchases, especially because I never saw Side Effects, Life of Pi, or Killing Them Softly. I started my movie watching experience with Side Effects because I've wanted to see it since it came out on the recommendation of a friend, a recommendation I highly regard. Side Effects is filled with star power with Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones Douglas, and Channing Tatum to name the cream of the crop. Steven Soderbergh directs on top of that, I'm definitely in. The story follows Mara as the wife of Channing Tatum, a disgraced hedge-fund (stock dealer) who is in the clink for 4 years on insider trading. Mara is waiting for him to be released to resume their life, but she's picked up depression in the meantime, mainly because she miscarried right before he went to prison. Tatum is released, Mara crashes her car into a wall and depression is flaring up BIG TIME. Law is her therapist (anal-rapist for all you Arrested Development fans) who is now in charge of trying to fix her through therapy sessions and medication. I can't really talk too much about it, but shockingly the medications have undesired side effects and things get bad in a hurry. I don't really want to talk about the story besides that, just know that it's absolutely worth watching. BOTTOM LINE: 8.7 out of 10. Excellent story, lots of solid acting and I'm a huge fan of Soderbergh's style of intense close-ups and drama. Some unexpected twists and turns and it's really good stuff that keeps you unsure and uneasy throughout. Worth the rental for sure, or if it's a good deal, buy on the spot.