Side Effects (2013) [Movie Review]

Side Effects is a drama following the life of Emily Taylor (Rooney Mara), a person with severe depression. After attempting suicide, she is put under the capable hands of Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law). Jonathan prescribes her a special medicine with some side effects attached. The main side effect being sleepwalking. While sleepwalking one day, she stabs her husband Martin (Channing Tatum), killing him. Thus setting off a series of events ultimately leading to Emily taking a plead of insanity, and being placed into a mental institution. But Jonathan Banks, having helped Emily in her case, is now ridiculed by the public and his family, but still decides to dig deeper into the case; eventually unraveling a pretty hefty conspiracy.

This film is beautiful. The cinematography is great, the blur tool was a little overused, but everything was simply beautiful. The casting was great, I was a bit skeptical of Channing Tatum at first, but the little screen time he had was great. Everyone else was also very good and believable for their roles. Side Effects was a nice, fresh plot, obviously with a little borrowing of plot elements here and there, but this film felt like a new, fresh plot. If you're into drama's, definitely check this film out.

Rating: 8/10

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Discussion topic: In the court case, the main question was who was to be held responsible for the death of Martin. The person who, in her unconscious mind stabbed him, or the person who prescribed the medication that ultimately made her stab the victim? Who do you think would be responsible?