Script: Leslie Dixon (screenplay), Alan Glynn (novel)
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Anna Friel, and Abbie Cornish
When it was originally released, the concept of "Limitless" (2011) did intrigue me, and now, having finally watched the film, I am having trouble remembering why. Here it is:
The trailer draws you in, and combined with Kanye Wests song 'Power' it leaves the viewer willing to spend the extra hundred and two minutes of their time to watch the entire film. In his song, Kanye West states: 'no one man should have all that power', and in "Limitless" Bradley Cooper proves Mr West right as Cooper demonstrates that he should not be given any sort of power, in pill form or otherwise, as he doesn't have a clue how to use it in an entertaining way.
The film is based on the techno-thriller novel, "The Dark Fields" by Alan Glynn. Bradley Cooper plays Edward Morra, a struggling writer who is having trouble keeping up with fast paced New York city. He hasn't written a word of his book, he is divorced with an ex-wife and then dumped by his new girlfriend at the start of the film; with no motivation and enthusiasm his life is grey and this is highlighted through the use of blue/grey tint in the frames in the cinematography. After a chance encounter with his ex-brother in law he is introduced to a new drug known as NZT, which he has been led to believe was FDA approved and had passed clinical trials. According to sources, NZT enhances brain usage and allows the user to access information and old memories and extort it to their best advantage. Yes, it sounds all very scientifically plausible. Morra takes the clear pill and his outlook on life changes (along with the cinematography, as the colours in the frame brighten up with warm yellow and orange tones in contrast to the grey). It turns out the pill hasn't been tested at all, and soon Morra becomes addicted. However whilst on NZT, Morra manages to finish his book, get his girlfriend back, learn several languages, and win over various influential people helping him land a high profile job in the stock market. The downside to the drug however is that it can send the brain into overload- so the users memory becomes disconnected and oh... if you do not continue to take the drug you become critically ill and die.
The marketing team who spread the word about the film went to great lengths not just to promote the film but they also created a website advertising the drug itself. The website for NZT looks incredibly professional and would definitely succeed in convincing people to buy into the product. If anything, NZT is a reflection of the many drugs that people consume today: there's the cups of coffee providing the energy to wake up in the mornings, the cigarettes to take a de-stresing break in their busy schedules, and the easily accessible paracetamol to reduce the headaches. It is just how the world works nowadays- everyone is unwillingly relying on some sort of drug. This is highlighted in the film by the fact that the pill is clear, giving the impression that anything could be inside it. Nevertheless the (slight) reference to how people fuel their daily lives does not mask the fact that the film itself is lacking in-well- pretty much everything that a decent film requires.
Firstly the narrative is flawed: drugs for an aspiring writer? how original! But then Morra's writing and his novel seem to take a back seat and then he moves into finance. Of course! where else would an aspiring writer go? Granted it is where the money is, but he has all these capabilities with enhanced brain usage and he is in a film where the possibilities are (sorry for saying) limitless and he chooses to go into finance? how dull. The film is very predictable and as the famous saying goes: 'mo money, mo problems', and sure enough Morra is led into trouble. He is being followed by a random killer stalker who seems to lose interest at the end of the film, and at the same time Morra is being chased by a Russian money lender, who also becomes addicted to NZT and begins injecting the drug instead, as it gets into the blood stream faster (side note: if the drug really did enhance brain usage why didn't Morra jump on the injecting bandwagon). For me, however, the most ridiculous part of the film was when Morra has to drink the blood flowing out of the shot moneylenders' body to survive, as the blood contains (aswell as other fluids) NZT in it. Yep it happens, and it makes me cringe inside.
The films flawed story line is not the only reason why the film doesn't deliver. Bradley Coopers acting leaves a lot to be desired. From the concept of the film I imagine him to be a cross between a drug fuelled Hunter S. Thomson character and slick Christian Bale in "American Psycho" (2000). Cooper was neither and overall rather bland as a character; he is boring on and off the drug and is really lacking in character definition making it hard for the viewer to form an opinion and like him. The script is not witty (in the slightest) and lacked the sophisticated 'hard' edge that the film seems to desperately seek. For other ways in which "Limitless" is flawed click here. Finally, and possibly the defining moment in which I decided there was no way I could enjoy the film ever again, was when Bradley Cooper talks down to Robert De Niro. Please. How ridiculous is that? So for a film with a drug that claims to boast a 'recipe for grandeur' it falls short on its promise and doesn't offer a "sparkling cocktail of useful information" as Cooper claims it does in the film.
Verdict: Disappointing. Maybe watch, if you've literally got absolutely not-a-thing to do with your life.
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