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February 14, 2013
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“Side Effects”: the quintessential psychogical thriller
by Aaron Washington
tors on the screen. Throughout the film, Soderbergh breaks some fundamental film directing rules, but he is able to do it in a way that makes the film great. Overall, “Side Effects” embodies what a psychological thriller should be. Some compare the film to the works of legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, which is a very fair comparison. The film makes you think and is able to own your attention 106 minutes.
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As I sat down to watch the film “Side Effects”, a torn feeling took over my body. On one hand, Steve Soderbergh is one of my favorite directors and continues to create quality films. On the other hand, I was expecting to be overwhelmed by the medical aspects of the film. But after the film ended, I was happy to realize my worries were put to bed. “Side Effects” tells the story of Emily Taylor, played by the phenomenal Rooney Mara, a young woman who continues to struggle with depression. After an apparent suicide attempt, Emily is sent to Dr. Jonathan Banks, played by Jude Law. Dr. Banks prescribes her a new anti-depressant to suppress her feelings of hopelessness, and that’s when things get crazy. The story takes so many twists and turns that I found myself piecing certain parts together after the film was over. Screenwriter Scott Z. Burns did a great job of developing each character and also showing the best and worst of each character. The writing is able to slowly tell the story and keeps you involved throughout. This causes the audience to think about the next step
Jude Law (left) and Catherine Zeta-Jones (right)
that is coming for these characters, and then one twist after another comes along. But with every film that has great writing, you must have even better acting. The shining star of the film is Rooney Mara. You may have heard her name previously for her role in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. Her performance in “Side Effects” is equally incredible. She is able to disappear into that character and provide a complexity to the
Photo provided by Open Road Films entire story. Along with great performances by Jude Law, Channing Tatum, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, “Side Effects” has a very strong ensemble casts. Director Steve Soderbergh has a significant style that has been consistent with most of his films. His use of wide angles is very different compared to most directors. He also makes slight changes to make the audience focus on the actors. For example, most of the film has a blurry background, especially when there are two ac-
Rooney Mara (left) and Channing Tatum (right)
Photo provided by Open Road Films
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“Snow on tha Bluf f”: a documentary of keeping it real by Erasmo Martinez TSV Staff writer
There’s no clear idea of what goes on in high crime areas of the United States. Finding a film that explores this theme in an emotional and realistic way is hard to come across, although the 2012 film “Snow on tha Bluff ” showcases this lifestyle in a way never seen. A drug dealer named Curtis Snow is followed around by his friend with a camera stolen from college students. While filming themselves buying cocaine, Snow pulls a gun on the camera man and takes the camera away. The rest of the movie documents Snow and his friends committing crimes in the Atlantic neighborhood nicknamed The Bluff. They’re seen stealing drugs from drug dealers, cutting up cocaine, loading ammo before drive-bys and bowling in the streets. This pattern continues on in the first half of the film, but takes a turn when Snow is threatened and then
shot at by another dealer wanting less competition. Snow ends up in prison after the shooting. The second half starts outside a prison. We see Snow happy in a car, being greeted by his nephews who explain they missed him. Snow visits his baby son and talks to the camera about trying his best to support him financially. Visits with his son are the highpoint of the film and give you an understanding for Snow’s ways. One visit ends with his son’s mother explaining that there must be a better way for Snow to do things. He asks her how and she quickly responds, “The right way.” Without ruining the film, a tragedy forces Snow to rethink how his life has changed by a rival dealer’s attempt to stop Snow from selling. Damon Russell directs the film based on the real life of Curtis Snow, who is the star of the film.
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Screenshot of Curtis Snow
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