Product Details

• Actors: Arturo Barba, Pedro Frontera Izquierdo, Marina de Tavira, Alejandra Gollas, Julieta Egurrola
• Directors: Issa Lopez
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: Spanish
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Navarre Corporation
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008
• Run Time: 111 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0019T2IWE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,207 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Marina, Adán, Mimí, and Ignacio met in high school. Marina and Adan were best friends; they shared secrets, chewing gum, and even pajamas. One of Marina's biggest secrets was that she was madly in love with Ignacio, but he barely noticed she was alive. Meanwhile, Adan bullied and picked on Mimi nearly every single day, and it drove her crazy. Twelve years later, the four meet again at their high school reunion, with some of the same old baggage, doubts, and questions that haunted them then, and some new ones, that come with being on the verge of turning 30: Who am I? What should I do with my life? Who do I want to spend the rest of my life with? What ever happened to that old flame? How did ever I get so screwed up, and whose fault is it? Instead of answers, the four find revenge, romance, chases, love songs in the middle of the night (and of the street), hit and run accidents, collapsing buildings, vodka, foreplay, flight attendants, psycho bees, Cheetos, Twinkies, butterflies, true love, sheep, the greatest kiss in the world, and a dead cat. And the four also find, by the end of this dark comedy, that everything in life has Side Effects.

Marina, Adán, Mimí e Ignacio se conocieron en prepa. Marina se moría por Ignacio, y él nunca la peló. Adán molestaba todos los días a Mimí, y se la traía de bajada. Marina y Adán se hicieron de esos amigos que se pasan hasta el chicle Corte a: 12 años después, se vuelven a encontrar en la reunión de exalumnos. Los cuatro están a punto de cumplir 30, y los asaltan todas las dudas de las que vienen huyendo desde los 20: ¿Soy quien creí que iba a ser? ¿Estoy con quien quiero estar? ¿Qué pasó con aquel gran amor de mi vida? ¿Quién tiene la culpa de que terminara en el hoyo? Todas las dudas y todas las deudas: Los amores y las culpas que pensaron dejar atrás no están tan atrás como pensaron. Este fatídico encuentro desata una serie de locuras que incluyen venganza, romance, persecuciones, serenatas, atropellamientos, desastres arquitectónicos, vodka, fajes interrumpidos, aeromozas, abejas psicóticas, papitas, gansitos, amor verdadero, mariposas, borregos, el mejor beso del mundo y un gato muerto. Todo en una comedia que terminará por hacerles entender a los cuatro que todo en esta vida tiene Efectos Secundarios.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Drama mixed with Critical Issues Resolved: Good Mix, February 26, 2011

By 

Judith E. Gonzalez "gonzii" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Efectos Secundarios (DVD)

Although I liked this film, I was left wanting much more closure in each character's lives. The different scenarios offered various issues that everyday people deal with all around the world. And, for this, I am truly grateful to have watched this film. What remained lacking is an edited version of resolution in each character's life. For instance, did the petite talented woman HAVE to live with mommy in order to resolve her inner frustration? Or, could she have found her own voice in this given scenario so that she would not have to regress into mommy's little girl? As I watched this film, especially as a Mexicana, I wanted to see this specific character bloom into a much more self-discovered and evolved woman. My favorite character was the man who accidentally killed a teen girl as a hit-'n'-run and who nearly kills the main character by almost running her over as well. Often times, a tragedy will occur without any true intent from any of the persons involved. The fact that the traumad young man and the older driver, who killed the young man's girlfriend years ago, can actually sit down and share their stories behind the tragedy was priceless. This sort of resolution was magical. It certainly was the highlight of the movie. Instead of continued violence and vengeance, two men were able to sit down and find peace through their sharing of both painful experiences. Alas! An alternative solution to pain and violence has been offered on film! Bravo! This scene stole the show! Had the writer found this same depth in each main character, I am certain that it could have opened many more possibilities for its viewers as they walked away reflecting upon the alternative ways to handle a struggle. For this very reason, I am grateful to have seen this film for my own reflection; yet, I will not add it to my collection of films to view more than once.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not so bad turning 30!, August 29, 2010

By 

Armando Trejo (Los ANgeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Efectos Secundarios (DVD)

Great movie! Makes turning 30 an exciting journey. To quote Marina; "write down what you dont like about yourself on a piece of paper and throw it away, cause it will never change".