Review of film: "LIMITLESS"

2011, 03-08:

Review of film:  “LIMITLESS”

           Should you SACK a SLACKER, or Factor a BACKER?!...

This movie is based on the Alan Glynn novel “THE DARK FIELDS”…

…  Eddie Morra (BRADLEY COOPER) is a writer.  Well, that’s what he’s “told” people.  He’d LIKE to be writing--  especially since he’s been given an “advance” to do so.  But, he keeps having a writer’s “BLOCK”, & sits around accomplishing NOTHING really… 

…  Yes, he’s one of those famous people you read about (from those who do write) called a “SLACKER”.  His apartment and personal appearance also express how his mind is feeling, in that they too are  sadly disorganized & unkempt.  His girlfriend Lindy (ABBIE CORNISH) is “fed-up” with it all, & CALLS OFF their relationship…

…  By chance, Bradley meets Vernon (JOHNNY WHITWORTH), the brother of Melissa (ANNA FRIEL)-- an ex-wife he’d had.  Johnny was looking strangely well-to-do, & Bradley thinks it’s because of the old illegal “black market” activities he’d engaged in….

…  But Johnny said no, it was all thanks to “NZT”--  a supposedly soon-to-be-“approved” PILL he’d gotten an “advance” connection with.  He glowingly describes how it can help “focus” a person’s MIND so a person could use ALL his brain-power instead of the usual 20%, & he gives Brad one of the pills (to try to show him his abilities could be "LIMITLESS" …

…  Brad doubts Johnny’s claims, but thanks him for the pill…  Later, he decides to try NZT--  & finds it allows him to get OVER his Writer’s Block.  He’s stunned at what he was able to accomplish, & visits Johnny to try to get MORE of the pills…

…  Johnny’s friendly--  but, when Brad returns after doing some errands on his behalf, he finds someone has MURDERED him…  Brad (using his extra brain power) is able to find Johnny’s “stash” of pills, & goes back HOME…  Soon, he gets some ideas for making money from INVESTMENTS, & starts doing very well at that…

…  Hoping he can extend his “streak” at success, he goes to a Russian mobster named Gennady (ANDREW HOWARD) to get a short-term, high-interest LOAN --  which needs to be paid back promptly or Brad will be deeply “SORRY”!... 

…  Brad is able to learn things (languages & facts) at amazing speed with exceptional understanding, and quickly makes lots more money.  In time, he gets to meet big-shot financeer Carl Van Loon (ROBERT De NIRO), feeling he could be his “backer” & provide the “key” to a quantum LEAP in Brad’s being financially and socially successful and powerful…

…  But, everything soon starts to expand and “SPIN” out-of-control:  Andrew tries to force Brad to provide HIM with more & more of the pills, & keeps his “GOONS” close-by to provide the “or-else!” factor to his demands…  Robert is very favorably IMPRESSED by Brad’s abilities--  but is also very “demanding” in what HE expects…

…  In the midst of all of this, Brad starts having a bunch of adverse “SIDE-EFFECTS” from his use of NZT, & finds he’s in-effect put himself on a “treadmill” that he can’t really CONTROL very well… He confides a bit in Abbie & others, but that doesn’t seem to truly “SOLVE” the problems…

…  Will Brad be able to properly MANAGE his use of NZT, or find ways to “improve” it to make it safer and / or more useful and “available”?...  Will Brad be able to control ANDREW and his thuggish requirements?...  Will he find a way to keep Robert at “arm’s length” so he can move “forward” & yet not be under his “THUMB”?...

…  I was really considerably IMPRESSED with what they were able to accomplish with this film:  the acting seems “simple”, but all the major characters are able to surprise & PLEASE you with what they turn out…

…  There are lots of TWISTS & TURNS in the story:  some of them, I could see “coming” (such as about a proposed merger regarding Robert’s company);  but others were quite UNexpected in a quite satisfying way.  The very END was especially “fulfilling” to me…

…  Thus, since the “deals with the DEVIL(S)” provides such an enjoyable psychological “thriller”, I’m rating it as 9.0 out of 10 stars…

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