2011’s “Limitless“, directed by Neil Burger.
Starring Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro, Johnny
Whitworth, Andrew Howard, Robert John Burke, Anna Friel, and Darren Goldstein.
What is it about?
Bradley Cooper stars as a struggling writer at a crossroads.
Dumped by his girlfriend (Abbie Cornish), on the hook from his agent for a book
he hasn’t yet written, and behind on his rent, he’s between a rock and a hard
place. A surprise visit from an ex brother-in-law (Johnny Whitworth) offers
Cooper pills that could enhance his brain power. Having nothing to lose, Cooper
takes them and becomes exponentially smart. In no time flat, he writes his
book, cleans up his act, and starts working for a financial company where he
tries to impress a ruthless titan (Robert De Niro). Eventually, he starts to black
out and withdraw from a dwindling supply, is involved in a murder
investigation, and a lethal loan shark (Andrew Howard) wants Cooper’s secret
stash. Will Cooper be able to re-focus, or has he hit his limit?
Why is it worth seeing?
Limitless’ strength is based around its intriguing
preposition. Who doesn’t like the idea of having it all for nothing? It’s the
American Dream. By taking a pill, you can access long forgotten areas of memory
long cut off by neuron rot, master the stock market, and even instantly teach
yourself how to ward off attackers.
Niel Burger’s direction at times can be exciting, handily
merging the visuals to match the occasionally breathtaking leaps of logic the
movie has with its premise. It’s a lot of fun, and the movie is very successful
in making viewers feel smart for watching characters grow smarter via montage. We
feel the exhilarating vibes of Cooper’s character gaining in social status.
Eventually, the realism has to set in (at least as a plot
device), and the similarly enhanced villain introduced here is a bit much (must
be something in the blood). Ultimately, the steam starts to run out and the
brain needs to rest, and that’s when Limitless
starts to show some strain in the neuro feedback. And is it true that smart
people see in fish eye lens view?
Cooper’s charm makes it all seem doable, and the fact that
the introduction of limits makes the movie’s intoxicating rush of energy come
to a realistic head- until it doesn’t. They don’t call it limitless for
nothing.
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