Limitless

UK Release: 23rd March 2011

Watched on DVD: Wednesday 14th November 2012

Rating: 15

Genre: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Runtime: 1hr 45mins

Tagline: What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

IMDb Plot Synopsis: An action-thriller about a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As one man evolves into the perfect version of himself, forces more corrupt than he can imagine mark him for assassination. Out-of-work writer Eddie Morra's (Cooper) rejection by girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) confirms his belief that he has zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to NZT, a designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, everything Eddie's read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. As the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, he draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to make billions. But brutal side effects jeopardize his meteoric ascent...

My Review: I had been anticipating this film ever since it came out after hearing how clever and brilliant it was and was over the moon to find that it didn’t collapse under those expectations but, if it were possible, it exceeded them! Limitless is one thrilling ride of a film due mainly to the fantastic direction and cinematography. It was so cleverly and creatively shot throughout allowing the audience to be completely immersed into the realities of NZT and the wonderfully exciting (and also frightening at times) things it allows Eddie to do. The concept is excellent and the plot carefully woven so that you are not at all let down by the end, which I often find with these great concept-driven pieces. 

Thankfully it kept the momentum going due to the great writing and show-stopping performance from Bradley Cooper. Cooper has been underestimated in the past but I think the world is now opening up to the idea of Cooper being not just a great actor but an Oscar worthy one due to his recent role in the Silver Linings Playbook (which I am seeing in a few hours!). He has definitely developed immensely over the last few years and the role of Eddie allows him to stretch his acting muscles in ways I haven’t seen before with what is actually quite a challenging role to make work.

Eddie begins as an out-of-luck writer struggling to spark creatively and in general in life. Abbie Cornish (who I adore!) is his long-suffering girlfriend who eventually dumps him and this pushes Eddie to try and make a change. It isn’t until a chance encounter with his ex-girlfriend’s brother who gives him a free sample of NZT that changes really begin to happen. 

What was most exciting to me watching this is that drugs like this are possible and are being developed and how much of a transformation they could make on humans, society and the world. The fact that are brains are underused is so cool to know that we are capable of so much more and wouldn’t you risk everything to try and reach your full capabilities? 

Limitless is about pushing boundaries both psychologically and cinematically and I absolutely loved it!

Score: 9/10