Side Effects

Soderbergh, Newman, Law, Zeta-Jones, Tatum... These are names that together on one poster are as appealing to a film fan as a postman is to a watchdog, and although it’s far from being a rule, this time we have to admit that the stars knew well where to shine. A masterfully filmed, well-acted and excellently written story that may be reminiscent of the golden era of the 90s, but thanks to the careful and creative direction manages to be original and interesting in every sense. Mara and Law stand out from the cast, their characters clearly have the most psychological dimension, but it's also nice to see that Catherine still has it in her and looks fantastic despite her advanced age. Proper craftsmanship that returns Soderbergh to the first league of directors. 80% (07/25/2013)

Steven Soderbergh delivers an excellent commentary on contemporary society, on how we are unable to cope with crises and how we collapse, but he wraps it all up in such a package that it's not so easy to overlook the film as a social critique. The film is thrilling, it holds your attention, it entertains, but at the same time, you will be able to reflect on it. No other Soderbergh film has affected me as much as this one, and for that reason, I think it is his best so far. He had his camera at hand, but also a great screenplay, which wasn't always the case in his films, and then there were great actors, which is usually true for most of his films. People want to work with Soderbergh and it's for the best, because he allows them to shine. This time, the film stands out as a whole and it functions excellently as a whole. 90% well-deserved. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2013/04/vedlejsi-ucinky-2013-90.html (04/29/2013)

An outstanding and rather (very) subversive genre piece which stands and falls with its conclusion. And it‘s with that final explanatory and point making last ten minutes that there is a problem, and not just one. Not that it’s borderline stupid or that it doesn’t make any sense, but.. There simply are few absolutely crucial buts. Which makes you doubly sorry, especially with a movie that’s coherent as this one. (04/26/2013)

Steven Soderbergh's surgically precise direction dominates this cold, seemingly pharmaceutical fraud. A standard set-up, a brilliantly tangled in the middle and a worthy finale. A film with a plethora of perfectly cast roles, tight reins and an unpredictable plot. I wouldn't be afraid to call it one of the best thrillers of the year. It's not as atmospheric and emotionally charged like Prisoners, but here everyone is evil, which is a very interesting cinematic twist. Usually when Soderbergh makes movies, it's not about good and evil characters, it's about who knows how to walk the walk. (06/02/2016)

Side Effects is a very well made film that stands out especially for its sophisticated script and acting performances. As for the story, I didn't really know how it was all going to turn out until the end, and I kept asking myself questions - mainly, "Who's the biggest jerk on the set?". We're thrown an unspecified scene at the beginning, which reappears about a third of the way through the film, and from then on a very deep case study of a sick woman who is taken on by a renowned doctor, and it changes both of their lives (and more). Who is actually guilty! Jude Law impressed me the most with his role, but Rooney Mara and Catherine Zeta-Jones were also great and convincing. A film whose title is not necessarily related to antidepressants. (06/27/2013)