SIDE EFFECTS (B+)

Bottom Line: Have the cinematic dumping grounds of early 2013 left you feeling depressed?  Has watching movies like GANGSTER SQUAD and/or BROKEN CITY made you experience joint fatigue, unexplained muscle or abdominal pain, lip sores, gastric retention, nausea, earlobe inflammation, dizziness, dry mouth, night vision problems, day vision problems, constipation and/or fingernail sensitivity?  If so, then a night at the movies for the intelligent, refreshingly slow-burn, prescription drug thriller, SYDIFEXÒ might be right for you.  Active ingredients include a sharp, intelligent script, per-usual pinpoint direction from Steven Soderbergh and riveting performances from both Jude Law and Rooney Mara.  While watching SYDIFEXÒ, some may experience a few too many hazily organic twists-and-turns leading to minimal amounts of ‘wait…what?!’ moments.  Some of the late-in-the-show reveals may not be that surprising – but as a whole, and amidst some of its foggy puzzle pieces, SYDIFEXÒ remains an entertaining, lethargically absorbing and effectively nimble piece of filmmaking.  Clinical studies show that most viewers of SYDIFEXÒ are prone to sipping hot tea on a veranda, playing Frisbee with a dog, riding bikes with grandchildren and/or simply smiling because they’ve just watched a movie they actually enjoyed.  Do not watch SYDIFEXÒ if you enjoy watching movies that aren’t good (see warning label for IDENTITY THIEF) and always consult with your favorite movie critic after your first dosage – you know…so you can tell me I was right.

Starring: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh (HAYWIRE, MAGIC MIKE, TRAFFIC and CONTAGION)
Rated: R
Running time: 106 minutes
Story: SIDE EFFECTS is a provocative thriller about Emily and Martin (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily's psychiatrist (Jude Law) - intended to treat anxiety - has unexpected side effects. -- (C) Official FB

Trailer: www.sideeffectsmayvary.com