‘Side Effects’ Is 2013’s Best Film So Far

If the United States is indeed a Prozac nation, Steven Soderbergh’s film Side Effects should be a frightening experience for all. Jude Law plays Dr. Jonathan Banks, a psychiatrist treating Emily (Rooney Mara), a patient with an anxiety disorder, as she awaits the release of her husband Martin (Channing Tatum) from jail. When Martin is released, Dr. Banks prescribes Emily a drug to treat her anxiety and things go awry.

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As for Travers, January’s downright awful films have left him loony, and he’s desperate for something watchable. “Side Effects is the best movie of 2013,” says Travers. “Of course, it’s only early February, but you know the hell we lived through in January.” Still, Side Effects is quite good with a “sting in its tail” twist ending. “You get a thriller, you get a social satire … a terrific movie,” says Travers.

His only complaint: that this is Soderbergh’s proclaimed last film. “Steven, I plead with you right here … come back, we need you. All we have is crap,” implores Travers. Side Effects opens on Friday.