Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Side Effects (2013)

What is it about? 

A woman's world unravels (and becomes exposed) when a prescription drug prescribed by her psyciatrist has revealing side effects. 

Who is in it?

Rooney Mara - Emily taylor

Jude Law - Dr. Jonathan Banks

Catherine Zeta Jones - Dr. Victoria Seibert

Channing Tatum - Martin Taylor

Favorite Scene: 

After attempting to get his life back, Dr. Banks begins to take the investigation into his own hands, including an experiment where he reveals that Emily has been faking the entire time. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Depression is an inability to construct a future."

"Imagine everything you ever wanted shows up one day and calls itself your life. And then just when you start to believe in it - gone. And suddenly it gets very hard to imagine a future. That's depression, right?"

Review: 

Side Effects is a film that blends a good a dose of mystery and crime solving along with the revealing nuances of the psychiatric field and the pharmaceutical industry. The film has a great plot that causes the viewer to not only question the uncertainty of psychiatrists and the drugs that are prescribed, but simply the overall ethics involved with it all. 

Rooney Mara is good in this film, however, Jude Law was even better as the desperate psychiatrist who goes from feeling guilty to feeling like a victim. Channing Tatum was also involved, but really didn't contribute much other than a major cameo. 

Ultimately, Side Effects is a solid mystery film that will intrigue you enough to keep you entertained for its 104 minute run time. 

Grade: 3/5

Recent Favorites

Quick Ponder: The Long Way

The long way is, the best way,  if the Lord is on it. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 9/15/24

3 Up 1. James Earl Jones - The voice GOAT. But I'll always remember him in one of my favorite movies, Coming to America , in the absolute epic role of King Joffe Joffer. "Where is my son, Akeem!". A great gift to us.   2. A'ja Wilson - The WNBA has entered our mainstream sports landscape because of Caitlin Clark. Yes, that is very true. But there is an amazing talent in A'ja Wilson who continues to dominate, and this week, she set the single-season scoring record and likely will do the same in smashing the single-season rebound record.  3. Inflation Lowest in 3 Years - I know it's a hot-button issue during this election season. BUT! It is the lowest it's been in three years. I'm not crediting or blaming anyone! Just saying! Enjoy the change, y'all.  3 Down 1. Trump Shooting at Golf Course - Look, this is crazy. No matter how you feel about Trump, your thoughts on him as a Presidential candidate, or anything else regarding politics, this should NOT

Thoughts on Second 2024 Presidential Debate

That was soooooooooo much different than what we witnessed in the first debate.  So. Much. Different.  Yet, why does it still feel like not much was impacted? Overall, I stepped away from this debate with the overarching theme that Kamala Harris did what she needed to do. And that was not engage in a pity back-and-forth with Trump who wants to muddy the waters of any debate or discourse, force him to bring something new to the table and force him to get into a policy discussion beyond the usual surface sayings and fire-alarm narratives.  She did that.  For Trump. He has his voters. He is not losing them. But I thought Trump didn't do enough to interest those voters who have soured on him as well as those who are not yet sold on Kamala (this administration, or even the Democratic Party).  We saw the same from Trump. No need to answer questions. Dictate the narrative with what you want. Reply with emotion. Evade policy discussion. And you know, be Trump.  Was there a winner? In a tra