Side Effects
Dir: Steven Soderbergh
2013
****
Side Effects is a really good thriller but once you deconstruct it it's only just average. So why is it so good? Well, firstly it's not nonsensical. It could happen. Secondly, there are no stupid action scenes, no pointless car chases or explosions. Thirdly, Jude Law can act. He's a believable character and plays it very well. However, Steven Soderbergh looses points for badly written supporting roles, particularly of Jude Law's on screen wife Dierdre played by Vinessa Shaw. Her character is completely unbelievable, is lazily written and because of that, badly acted, and it would be unfair to blame Miss Shaw in this instance. This film works because many like it are so bad, it's a refreshing return to form for the genre. Steven Soderbergh's films are hit and miss, it's a shame that he's giving up directing just when his films were getting continuously good. I really liked the ending too, it felt rewarding among the silly twists of late.