Aspiring author Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is suffering from severe writers block. His life is a sorry existence until a chance meeting with an old friend, who introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new drug that allows him to engage 100% of his brains capacity. After overcoming writers block he soon takes wall street by storm. This in turn alerts many around him of his ways to the top and to the whereabouts of his secret stash. His own safety is a constant worry and with the drugs side-effects slowly wearing him down, Eddie has little time to outwit the oncoming threats.Limitless as a concept is very intriguing. The human brain's ability to only use 20% of your brain and finding a drug which can enhance and allow you to use the other 80% is a very interesting idea for a film. Especially in this day and age of awful remakes and sequels. However, for a plot that entails super intelligent human beings, the screenplay is surprisingly dumb. However ironic this is, its not an act of genius from the director but more a Fax pas on bad scriptwriting.
What would the worlds most intelligent man do with all of his knowledge and capabilities? I would hope the greed and narrow mindedness of human nature would prevail due to a higher sense of purpose and being. But i guess that is somewhat wishful thinking with a blockbuster.
I felt this film wasn't daring enough in its exploration of what this situation might entail, questioning rather than boasting in the flashy surfaces of power and wealth. Or the American dream gone wrong..
Regardless of this, the film is actually very engaging and moved with considerable style. But i hope super intelligence does not involve alot of nauseating quick cuts and zoomed in fish eye lens camera work..Bradley Cooper is somewhat more believable than his previous roles. He always brings charisma and vitality to the role. This is also attached to his own smugness which makes the lead character somewhat a nuisance to confide and empathise with.
I guess the trick to this film is to do exactly the opposite of the plot. Turn your brain off, sit back and enjoy.
3/5
