Jude Law says his biggest challenge in preparing for Steven Soderbergh’s new thriller “Side Effects” was psychological: convincing himself that he could play a psychiatrist properly. The movie has its international premiere Tuesday at the Berlin film festival, where it’s one of 19 contenders for the top Golden Bear award. British actor Law plays a psychiatrist who prescribes a new drug he’s testing out as part of a lucrative deal with a pharmaceutical giant. Law told reporters he was faced with “overcoming the reality that I wasn’t going to be able to go to medical school in the time it took to prepare for the part.” He added: “I didn’t have a huge relationship with pharmaceuticals or an understanding of them.” – Associated Press
MOVIE: “Cold Mountain” (2003)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS (WON): Best Supporting Actress (Renee Zellweger). OTHER NOMINATIONS: Best Actor (Jude Law), Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score and Best Original Song (2).
STORYLINE: In the waning days of the American Civil War, a wounded soldier (Jude Law) embarks on a perilous journey back home to Cold Mountain, N.C., to reunite with his sweetheart.
NOTES: This film captures the horrors of war for both those fighting it, and for those left behind. It’s a tale of hope, longing, redemption, second chances, and faith. Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Charles Frazier, the story is a good read and a good watch.
TRIVIA: Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who were married from 1990 to 2001, were both considering roles in this movie, yet Cruise was unaware of Kidman’s involvement. Cruise backed out but Kidman immediately signed up … There is a real Cold Mountain in North Carolina, located within the Pisgah National Forest southwest of Asheville. However, there is not and has never been a town named after the mountain. – IMDb