DVD Recommendation: "Side Effects" - Starring Jude Law and Rooney Mara

Viewers will never know what to expect from director Steven Soderbergh's latest film, Side Effects. Indeed, the versatile director changes things up constantly throughout the film and it keeps the audience off balance, but in a positive way. For instance, even though Jude Law receives top billing, his character, Dr. Jonathan Banks, seems more like a supporting character throughout the first part of the film, while Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum, as married couple Emily and Martin Taylor, are front and center. However, as the story plays out, Dr. Banks is pushed into the center of an intriguing plot that threatens to ruin him and his career, but he plans to fight back.

The initial story centers around Martin Taylor, who is seen being released from prison after serving time for insider trading. His wife, Emily, appears strong, supporting and loving, but then purposely crashes her car into a wall in a parking garage. As a result, she is declared a suicide risk and is assigned to the care of Dr. Banks, who prescribes a series of anti-depressant medications. When they seemingly fail to work, Banks contacts Emily's former therapist, Dr. Victoria Siebert (Catherine Zeta-Jones), for advice. She suggests a new drug, Ablixa, that appears to help Emily, although she experiences bouts of sleepwalking. When Martin arrives home while Emily is apparently sleepwalking, she stabs him several times, leading to his death. The repercussions of that event are felt by Dr. Banks, whose professional and personal life are turned upside down by his alleged mishandling of the case, for the balance of the film.

Frankly, I had no idea where Side Effects was headed until around the final act. Viewers may think they have things figured out, but then another surprise is introduced into the story. In the meantime, the inmates are clearly running the asylum and the sane, and perhaps honest, characters are made to look crazy. That is the genius of the screenplay by Scott Z. Burns, which is reminiscent of a classic Alfred Hitchcock film, but without a blonde lead character.  Emily and Dr. Siebert are brunettes, but Dr. Banks' wife, Deidre (Vinessa Shaw), has the distinction of being a buxom blonde, even though she is a supporting player in the endless drama that is filled with more twists than you can imagine.

Soderbergh's terrific cast deliver strong performances, especially the underrated Jude Law, who receives material worthy of his talents. Rooney Mara is also quite good, as the complicated Emily, as is Catherine Zeta-Jones, as the calculating Dr. Siebert. I am at a loss to explain why Side Effects was not at least a modest box office hit. It is one of the best films I have seen so far this year and boasts a terrific cast who are all given a chance to shine, courtesy of Steven Soderbergh, and rise to the occasion. Side Effects is a superb film.

Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum Star in "White House Down"

The central plot of White House Down is similar to Olympus Has Fallen, which was released this past spring, with an attack on The White House by those who intend to ultimately use nuclear weapons to devastate the world. While Olympus Has Fallen featured a threat from Korea, renegade U.S. officials who do not agree with a peace treaty offered by President Sawyer (Jamie Foxx) are behind the attacks in White House Down. At the center of the plan is one of Sawyer's closest advisers, who also blames the commander-in-chief for the death of his son in a botched military mission. He is just one of many threats that the President faces as The White House is eviscerated by a group of renegades with plenty of firepower.

But all is not lost, as President Sawyer has the assistance of a would-be Secret Service hopeful, John Cale (Channing Tatum), who was denied a job with the organization by agent Carol Finnerty (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Finnerty soon realizes just how wrong she was when Cale risks life and limb to keep the President safe and attempts to rescue his daughter who he was separated from during a White House tour when the attacks began. Cale demonstrates extreme bravery and courage when the odds are stacked against him and he is determined to eliminate the threat and be reunited with his daughter, Emily (Joey King).

The screenplay, by James Vanderbilt, is loaded with supporting characters, which is one of the reasons for the extended run time (over two hours). Some of the characters are necessary, while others are not. Thankfully, talented actors including Richard Jenkins, James Woods and Lance Reddick deliver their typical strong work. The screenplay also includes a good deal of comedy to offset the heavy dose of drama and the frequently amusing rapport between Foxx and Tatum is quite good. Because of the fine work from the lead actors, it is curious why so many other characters are needed, some of whom only seem to take time away from Foxx and Tatum.

Director Roland Emmerich has crafted a fast moving, generally well acted and exciting film that seems like a solid option for summertime viewing. At least for those who like their movies loud, fun and entertaining. Clearly, the young male demographic is being targeted, with the mostly masculine cast. Maggie Gyllenhall and Rachelle Lefevre are the only two female players of note, outside of youngster Joey King. However, the female demographic may be pleased to learn that Channing Tatum strips down to a muscle shirt for more than half the movie, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.  While White House Down is not necessarily inventive, the film is a lot of fun and, at least from the screening I attended, appears to be a real crowd pleaser. And yes, I would bet on a sequel if the box office is significant.