Side Effects - B-

Rated R, 106 minutes

Soderbergh's "Side Effects" an above-average psychological thriller

"Side Effects," the new psychological thriller from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh ("Traffic"), is a serviceably entertaining, if not far-fetched look at what drugs might or might not do for our mental capacities. Emily and Martin (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), are a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily's psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Banks (Jude Law) - intended to treat anxiety - has unexpected side effects. The drugs could've have caused Emily to do something shocking unreal, until Dr. Banks looks into Emily's past, including her previous therapist (Catherine Zeta-Jones). Written by frequent Soderbergh collaborator Scott Z. Burns ("Contagion"), Soderbergh's urgent, efficient style of direction in the well-acted "Side Effects" works to his advantage here, creating some images that have a way of sticking with you. The chief flaws from the film is its far-fetched script, which falls prey to some normal conventions, such as unraveling everything in flashback or having a character that no one initially believes. It stretches believability at times, though the actors, particularly Mara, have solid turns. In fact, Mara's performance reminds of a lower-key Edward Norton from "Primal Fear," though Law and Zeta-Jones hold their own (as for Tatum, he's still as bland as ever, but used to good effect here). Soderbergh, much like his central character, has a low-key but occasional heavy-hand, but "Side Effects" has some entertaining moments, enough that may warrant a second look at an above-average, provocative thriller that's more about playing closer attention to those around you than mental illness or the use of drugs to treat it.

Wes's Grade: B-