Jude, Zeta where have you been? We've been looking all over and here we find you at the psychiatrist's office raising awareness about mental health within the community. Well, I personally want to say that "We love it".
"Side Effects" is an intriguing film providing a little insight into the world of depression, along with a dash of embellishment clearly for the purposes of making it into a motion picture. Anyone experiencing a mental illness or even treating a mental illness will testify that one's mental health is no laughing matter, by any means. "Side Effects" is a must-see film for the simple fact that it deals with real topics and issues that most have experienced either first hand or indirectly through someone we know. So let's pop open the Xanax and see what this movie is about.
Jude Law stars as Dr. Johnathan Banks, a psychiatrist confident in his practice, until he encounters a seemingly harmless client named Emily(Rooney Mara). Emily comes to his attention in a depressed state via recent suicide attempt that lands her in the emergency room. Banks being a doctor overworked and maybe even ready to go home allows Emily to leave with only a script and her word that she would meet with him for outpatient treatment. Now, anyone knowing 2 cents about mental health would know that you don't get to go home after attempting to take your own life in the same night. Anywho, he releases her to her husband, Martin(Tatum) that reassures Banks that his wife will take her medications and attend scheduled appointments.
Sounds like an open and shut film huh? Well, it's not. Emily attends the appointments and goes through the normal dialogue of her childhood troubles and sources of stress while experimenting with medications to find something without too many "side-effects". Everything seems to be going along according to plan, until Emily wants to try this new wonder drug called "Ablixa". Ablixa is to be the drug of the century, the cure all, but no drug is without side-effects and this one has some that aren't so easy to eliminate.
You ever hear of Ambien and all the sleepwalking that it has caused? Well, multiple the intensity of it's side-effects by 100 and you have your new cure for depression. Emily begins to take this new pill and this is where the movie starts! "Side Effects" puts Banks face to face with either one of the most clever people to walk the planet or the sickest client in mental health cinema history. This movie is guaranteed to have psychiatrists thinking twice before pulling out their blue pads and prescribing the next "It" drug on the market. The obvious question is "Who would prescribe a new drug without doing the proper research"? Any idea, Banks?
Catherine Zeta Jones give an eye opening performance in the film as Dr. Seibert, a mature female psychiatrist that becomes interested in the work of Banks and Emily. One has to wonder why she has taken such an interest in the work of Banks, hmm? It's always nice to see Zeta take on a role as she gives it 110 percent every time. I first started following her films after watching her performance in "Traffic", great film by the way if you haven't seen it. I've got to say, her role as Seibert definitely adds some "essence" to the film and I'll leave it at that.
Now for the true star of the film, Rooney Mara, she takes on the role of Emily Taylor, a depressed and very suicidal young woman that flips Bank's world upside down. The way in which Mara portrays the character shows that Soderbergh put a lot of effort into researching depression and communicating his needs for the film. I personally have worked in mental health for the past 12yrs and I would say that she gives a convincing performance, but that's just my personal opinion. Mara is going to be someone to look for in future films, but if this is your first introduction to her, it's definitely a treat.
To wrap things up, "Side Effects" is a movie about mental illness, but it does not reflect the issues and concerns of everyone experiencing depression. "We don't want anyone making assumptions about themselves or anyone else that they know diagnosed with an mental illness".
Unhinged Reviews recommends this film for those curious about the mind and how serious it is for both clients and doctors to do the research on medications before starting treatment. Unhinged Reviews also recommends this film for those in search of a good drama with an unexpected plot twist or two. Enjoy.
Click a button to share this review with others
Leave a comment to discuss the film or open a dialogue about your experience with mental health.