{"id":502,"date":"2013-03-07T22:02:51","date_gmt":"2013-03-08T02:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/~reviewing\/?page_id=502"},"modified":"2013-03-07T22:05:33","modified_gmt":"2013-03-08T02:05:33","slug":"side-effects-worth-price-of-admission","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/students.com.miami.edu\/reviewing\/?page_id=502","title":{"rendered":"‘Side Effects’ worth price of admission"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted March 7, 2013<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

By NICKY DIAZ<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an understatement to say that Steven Soderbergh has made significant contributions to the film industry; especially considering his filmography includes \u201cOcean\u2019s Eleven\u201d and \u201cTraffic.\u201d<\/p>\n

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So when the 50-year-old director said the recently released \u201cSide Effects\u201d would be the last feature film of his career, many were disappointed.<\/p>\n

Fortunately for audiences, though, Soderbergh made sure to leave Hollywood on a good note \u2026 to say the least.<\/p>\n

\u201cSide Effects\u201d \u2013 which features an all-star cast with Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum \u2013 is the best psychological thriller since \u201cBlack Swan.\u201d There\u2019s no doubt that the film\u2019s complex plot, talented cast and beautiful cinematography will be recognized during next year\u2019s award season.<\/p>\n

The film opens with Mara\u2019s character, Emily Taylor, preparing for her husband Martin Taylor\u2019s (Tatum) release after a four-year prison sentence for insider trading. His transition back home is difficult for Emily and so she starts to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Banks (Law). After consulting with her previous psychiatrist Victoria Siebert (Zeta-Jones), Dr. Banks tries out several medications on Emily. And that\u2019s when the madness starts.<\/p>\n

If anything else were revealed about the film\u2019s plot, it would be spoiled. The plot\u2019s complex twists and turns are entertaining and thrilling. Although \u201cSide Effects\u201d isn\u2019t slow, it really picks up midway. From then on, the audience members are on the edges of their seats. Chances are you\u2019ll be shocked, scared, confused and nervous all at once for 50 minutes straight.<\/p>\n

Despite the complex plot, the film is easy to follow. Scott Z. Burns\u2019 script is concise \u2013 no fluff or unnecessary scenes \u2013 yet it manages to explain everything thoroughly. And for those who think the film will be predictable and just another one of the lame action movies we\u2019ve been plagued with so far in 2013, you\u2019re wrong.<\/p>\n

Not only does the original and exhilarating storyline make \u201cSide Effects\u201d stand out, but so do the incredible performances by Law and Mara. The actors were required to explore uncharted territory with this movie\u2019s inventive plot yet they both gave incredible performances.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t surprising though considering Law\u2019s and Mara\u2019s recent incredible performances in \u201cContagion\u201d and \u201cThe Girl With The Dragon Tattoo,\u201d respectively. Law \u2013 as well as Zeta-Jones and Tatum \u2013 have actually worked with Soderbergh before.<\/p>\n

The movie\u2019s stunning cinematography also captures audiences. The angles of the shots and the editing add depth to every single scene. From beginning to end, \u201cSide Effects\u201d is visually striking and breathtaking. Every close-up shot adds to the intense moments; every blurred effect or focused shot sets the mood for each scene. Especially when combined with composer Thomas Newman\u2019s flawless score, the film\u2019s cinematography is sure to captivate viewers.<\/p>\n

\u201cSide Effects\u201d is simply suspenseful, original, captivating and well-done. Soderbergh and Burns don\u2019t disappoint in this thriller, which takes the best of the psychological and mystery genres to create 2013\u2019s first notable film.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t gotten the point yet, \u201cSide Effects\u201d is definitely worth the $11 movie ticket and $6 popcorn.<\/p>\n