- Good representation of how a pharmaceutical sales operation functions.
- Eye-opening representation of how new drugs are introduced to the marketplace.
- Helps patients understand why they should (usually) avoid new-to-the-marketplace drugs.
- Great sound track.
- Entertaining way to learn a lesson about the realities of the pharmaceutical industry.
- This is a low-budget movie, meaning, it is highly instructional, not intended to be a blockbuster.
- You'll never hear the word "efficacy" the same way again.
- Side Effects (Movie and DVD 2005)
- Link to the Side Effects Trailer.
- Starring: Katherine Heigl
- Available in English, Spanish and French
- Rated: R
- 90 minutes
- Learn more about Side Effects from the writer / director's website.
- Learn more about the Side Effects sound track.
The term "side effects" takes on new meaning in this part exposé of the pharmaceutical industry, part self-introspective, part comedy, part romance starring Katherine Heigl, of Grey's Anatomy and written and directed by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau.
Carly Hert (Katherine Heigl) takes a job as a drug representative, calling on physicians to promote use of several of the drugs her employer manufactures. Not long after she begins her job, she meets a new guy who helps her realize that her work may be wildly lucrative in terms of money, a company car, and other perks provided by her employer, but that it also requires her to step beyond her own values and moral boundaries.
Carly decides to leave her job, and gives herself six months to make the adjustment. But she soon realizes that it's not as easy as simply walking away. The seduction of the money and tangible rewards of her job provides a tough test to her wish to stay true to her value system.
While it sounds heavy and dark, in fact the movie is entertaining - part comedy, part love story. You will truly understand the struggle Carly faces as she comes to grips with what is important in her life.
The director of the movie, Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, wrote the story and screenplay based on her own experience as a drug rep. The real value to Side Effects is in its eye-opening look at the drug industry and how it keeps its sales employees on board. While there are many excellent, life saving drugs being sold, there are just as many new drugs that come on the market that have not been thoroughly tested and turn out to be dangerous. After watching side-effects, you'll know why you need to question new drugs when your doctor recommends them.
