Movie Review—Limitless
Directed by: Neil Burger
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, and Abbie Cornish
Rating:
Great Movie, May See It Again (5 popcorn boxes out of 5)
This month’s review belongs to the recently released Limitless.
An Action and Suspense film, packed with both.
The movie begins with Eddie Morra, played by Bradley Cooper, in a forever period of writer’s block and down-on-his-luck behavior. He resembles a homeless man or drug addict at times in the beginning of this film, when a blast from the past, his former brother-in-law literally runs into him and gives him the means to change his life. An experimental drug, NZT, is handed to him, and the possibilities of this drug initially seem to be Limitless. In one day this drug shows he can accomplish many things, including beating writer’s block and changing his means of living. To do that he will need more NZT and getting more proves dangerous and perhaps hazardous to his health. In changing his life, to degrees many hope for when they plan to be a part of the American Dream, he learns his brain is very math capable and starts finding new ways to make money. He comes under the scrutiny of Mega-Mogul Carl Van Loon, portrayed by Robert De Niro, and has a meteoric rise into the world of finance. Along the way, he falls in love with Lindy, played by Abbie Cornish, who is brought into a world she never dreamed of. Danger and threats abound when those who know of the drug, are attempting to trace down any remaining samples. In addition, while on his rise to fame and fortune, Eddie turns to some unscrupulous characters and learns some of the more unpleasant side effects of NZT.
The film opens in a sequence that almost makes you believe you have tried the drug, leading to the beginning of just how uninspired Eddie’s life has been. Bradley Cooper plays his part to perfection and his changes are just as riveting, as well as the potential this experimental drug displays. However, those from his past that have tried NZT, tend to resemble meth addicts, and that is just one of its danger. One down side is that there were too many dangers from the drug that had little follow through. Robert De Niro is perfect as the self-made man of millions, so the movie could have definitely used more De Niro, who proved to be almost unbeatable and a bit sinister. All-in-all, a movie with twists and turns that keep you guessing what will happen next.
