'SIDE EFFECTS'

'SIDE EFFECTS' (R) (3 STARS)

Written by Scott Z. Burns
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Actors: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta Jones, Channing Tatum, Vinessa Shaw, Mamie Gummer.

"Side Effects" takes it's time and creates a well thought out and deliciously twisty story with pristine directing by Steven Soderbergh. It is a cold looking movie and that is perfect because the movie turns out to be a cold, nasty thriller that plays tricks with you but fairly. It also has a deceptively commanding performance by Rooney Mara. I can't really expalin much of the plot because I fear I will give the fun and well written story away and all it's juicy secrets. It is one of those thrillers that could go very wrong but Soderbergh is a master at making movies like these because he sets up the characters so well and takes his time starting the story off. That ensures us an edge of your seat type treat that spins you in it's web right from the first frame till the last.

I guess after a second viewing you could drive a truck through some plot holes but after my first viewing I had a big smile on my face. All I can say is that the wonderful Rooney Mara plays Emily who is married to stock broker husband Martin played by Channing Tatum. Emily is a very depressed woman who tries to kill herself and has been deeply sad because her husband was put away in prison for insider trading and when he gets out she has a hard time adjusting. She goes to Doctor Banks, played by Jude Law, for therapy but it doesn't seem to help. That is all I can tell you because after that the movie just keeps piling on twists and swerves. The great thing is that the wonderful and intricate screenplay by Scott Z. Burns is smart and the plot twists are well earned and make plausible sense.

As I am watching this movie and when I was well into it something dawned on me. It was that Rooney Mara's performance as Emily is a great performance and the movie does not work with out her performance. You forget when a movie plays with your brain that a great performance is unfolding before your eyes. Mara who made a huge impact with a five minute scene in "The Social Network" and knocked it out of the park with her performance as Lizbeth in the American version of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" is the real deal. Her name should now join in on the conversation of the great actresses of this new generation being talked about now, Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Lawrence. She gives a great performance here that is equal to those actresses great performances. Soderbergh and Scott Z. Burns collaborated before on "Contagion" which I didn't care for. That movie lost control and got silly, here the control is always there till the last frame.

"Side Effects" has a great look, has a great cast and a slew of characters that all make an impression. From Vinessa Shaw to Jude Law to all the supporting actors, this is a top notch cast and a deep screenplay with a lot of detailed characters. It will mess with your mind in a good way like all great thrillers do. It is the classic keep you guessing movie that will surprise you with it's plot twists and entertain you, putting a huge smile on your face. Steven Soderbergh tells us that he is retiring from directing movies after this year. All I can say is please don't go because with this and last year's excellent "Magic Mike" we need you badly. "Side Effects" is another solid winner from Soderbergh.