Side Effects
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Starring Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum
Side Effects is a psychological thriller (an overused term I know, but bear with me) about Emily (Rooney Mara), a woman who is prescribed a new drug for depression after her husband (Channing Tatum) returns from a stint in prison, but suffers from some startling and violent side effects as a result....
I hadn't heard too much about this film prior to seeing it, strangely enough, so was happy to be in the dark while watching it and not have any judgements to go on. I'll be honest, it starts slow. Really slow. The first scene is that of bloody footprints across the floor, which then flashes back to three weeks earlier. This does give a sense of tension, but by about halfway in you are almost so bored that you've completely forgotten about it.
However....
This is definitely a film of two halves, because after we see the cause of the blood stains in a brilliantly stark and shocking portrayal of murder (I actually gasped out loud and shot my hand over my mouth!), Side Effects really gains pace.
The highlight of the film is the excellent soundtrack; the music is chilling, hypnotic, and almost childlike at times, perfectly enhancing Rooney Mara's vulnerable, ethereal character and the mysterious plot we see unraveling on screen. The scenes between Mara and Jude Law's psychiatrist Jonathan Banks are the best, both playing their part with subtlety as their relationship develops. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Emily's previous psychiatrist, and despite having quite a key part in terms of the plot, I think her character is a little cliche (you know, hair slicked in a bun, big glasses to look more intelligent, dodgy suits) and the more we find out about her and Emily, the less believable it gets.
There are a fair few twists as the film nears its end, which keeps you guessing and forces you to question your initial judgement of the characters and their motives throughout and is part of the reason the second half is so gripping. However, there isn't enough backstory provided for you to fully understand what's going on at times, leaving you confused, and when you do understand it all seems a bit tenuous. Channing Tatum's character Martin and his past is crucial, but you can only figure that out after thinking long and hard about it! It is entirely possible that this is the point; the less you know, the more you have to piece it together yourself, and I guess it's better than patronising the audience and having everything spelled out for you.
I realise that paragraph is a bit baffling in itself, but it's quite difficult to talk about this film without giving away any spoilers! I'd hate to ruin it for anyone.
Overall, I came out of the cinema happy. It may take a while to get into, but is definitely worth it by the end. Steven Soderbergh, who also directed Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, has a certain voyueristic style of filming that makes you feel part of the scene and I think that's what gets you so intrigued in the story. There are good performances all round, particularly from Jude Law, who is the only character you truly empathise with as you watch his life fall apart.
Side Effects is an interesting film that works hard to surprise you, and uses the grim subject matter of depression to create a bleak, cold mood that blends with the psychological theme. The sense of mystery around the characters is done really well, and the second half alone is a reason to watch this film.
Rating: 3/5
Thanks for reading!
Sophie.
''So, you know in horror movies, when the girl's like 'Oh my god, there's something in the basement, let me just run down there, in my underwear, and see what's going on in the dark' and you're like, 'What is your problem? Call the police!' and she's like 'Okay!' but it's too late because she's already getting murdered?
Well, my story is kinda like that.''
New Girl is the comedy that just about everyone around me has been talking about and telling me to watch. It's created by Elizabeth Meriweather and stars Zooey Deschanel as the eccentric Jessica Day, a schoolteacher who moves into a loft with three guys after breaking up with boyfriend Spencer. Madness, confusion and hilarity ensues as she gets to know her room mates and tries to move on.
I had heard a ton of great things about New Girl, and ordered the first series from Amazon in a moment of extreme procrastination so as to avoid writing an assignment! Such a good student, not.
The show is refreshing and not ashamed to be a little bit weird, especially with the character of Jess. In fact, she did start to grate on me when I first started watching, as though they were trying too hard to make her funny...but by the end of the series when we get to know her better, I found her really warm and likeable. Zooey Deschanel is gorgeous and brilliant and shows off her skills in physical comedy, as well as pulling off an amazing script each episode with really snappy and imaginative dialogue.
My favourite character, however, has GOT to be Schmidt. He is played by Max Greenfield, someone I watched years ago in a sorority/fraternity drama called Greek. Schmidt is an utterly cringeworthy, egotistical obsessive-compulsive who is required to donate money to a 'Douchebag Jar' every time he pulls some embarrassing stunt, which is preeetty much all the time. The way Greenfield plays him as completely ridiculous but with a straight face the whole time makes just about everything he says hilarious.
The whole ensemble works really well, because each is so different. Winston is probably the one we know least about and seems to be used more as someone for the other characters' jokes to bounce off, so there is plenty more room for him to be developed. Hannah Simone is also good as the beautiful best friend Cece.
The best thing about it is the underlying chemistry between Nick (the rather hot Jake Johnson) and Jess. I haven't seen any of the second series so I don't know if anything actually happens with them yet (and am desperately trying to avoid seeing any spoilers!), but there's some really nicely done, emotional moments as well as great comedic moments. It's made all the more interesting in that you don't know for sure if they're going to get together; there's no Rachel-and-Ross on again/off again, which keeps the audience intrigued and waiting for answers.
New Girl is a brilliantly awkward comedy that works hard to win you over, and though I could understand if someone found it a bit irritating, by the end of the series I was totally invested in the characters. It manages to combine classic sitcom while still feeling modern and fresh, and it only took me three days to watch all 24 eps so it's pretty addictive!
A great watch I would definitely recommend getting in to if you like shows such as The Big Bang Theory, etc., and I can't wait to catch up on series 2! Also, once the catchy theme tune is stuck in your head, you cannot get it out.
Rating: 4/5
Are you a New Girl fan?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie.
(pictures are from Google images)
It's the beginning of the month, and that can only mean one thing; new issues of my magazine subscriptions! I won't lie, I get pretty excited when I hear a thud through the letterbox telling me the latest Vogue, ELLE or Harper's Bazaar has arrived.
This month, ELLE has launched a new look magazine: it's slicker and more minimal, yet retains the quirky artistic details that makes it my favourite fashion monthly. There's more street style shots, and the 'First Look' showcases upcoming talent from the worlds of fashion, theatre, film and music. Also, ELLE has become the first mag to use the same team to produce the magazine and the website content to give readers even more to enjoy.
Victoria Beckham is the cover star, in a bright, pop art-style shoot - photographed by Carter Smith.
There are some great fashion stories in the issue too.
'Dark Angel', featuring L'Oreal poster girl Barbara Palvin, shot by Jem Mitchell and styled by fashion director Anne-Marie Curtis: a story of simple yet intricate eveningwear. I love the understated tailoring paired with the gothic lace details, and Hungarian model Palvin is just ridiculously gorgeous.
'Sports Heroes', modelled by Beegee and photographed by David Vasiljevic; a clean take on chic sportswear with flashes of neon and bright red. Sporty looks are always effortlessly cool, and the colour pops against a stormy backdrop to create stylishly dramatic images.
And to finish, there's an awesome interview with the rather beautiful Nicholas Hoult. I can't wait for his new films Warm Bodies, Jack the Giant Slayer and Mad Max (with the equally amazing Tom Hardy!).
For more fashion goodness, check out ELLE's website here.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie.
