Limitless (2011)

Studio: Rogue Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: March 18, 2011
Director: Neil Burger
Rated PG-13

Review by James Klein

What if you could take a pill or any kind of drug for that matter and become the type of person you always wanted to be? Would you do it even if it means you could die? How far would you go to keep on taking this miracle drug? These are the type of questions raised in Limitless, a Hitchcockian drama by Neil Burger starring the underrated Bradley Cooper.

When a down on his luck writer named Eddie can't seem to fight writer's block and then has his live-in girlfriend leave him, he meets up with his former brother-in-law by chance who seems to now be really successful and happy in his life. After their meeting, he gives Eddie a pill calling it a vitamin to help him out as he looks terrible. When Eddie takes it within minutes he is able to write, seduce his landlord's girlfriend, and quickly becomes quick witted and alert. He is able to start turning his life around...until the drug wears off. When he goes back to see his brother-in-law to get more of the drug, he finds him dead with a bullet in his head. But Eddie also finds a whole bag of the vitamins.

Burger's film is a fast-paced, visually stunning and interesting film that is well acted and just downright fun to watch that the audience forgets the many plot holes within the film. Many questions are raised as to what happened to a woman Eddie meets at a party who winds up dead, who exactly is the man following Eddie and his former girlfriend, what happens to Eddie's female friend who tells him she is dying now that she's off this vitamin. If you can get past these unanswered questions and enjoy the movie for what it is: a modern throwback to a Hitchcock/DePalma type thriller then you will have a fun time.

Not only does the camera not stop moving, providing the audience with some great visuals but Bradley Cooper is excellent in the role of Eddie. He has been in some great comedies such as Wet Hot American Summer and The Hangover but has been in other serious roles like Midnight Meat Train and last summer's The A-Team. He has great screen presence and can act. If this guy isn't a bona fide Hollywood movie star soon, I'll be shocked. Robert De Niro has a small role as business tycoon Carl Van Loon who brings on Eddie for his own personal gain. It's nice to see De Niro in a drama again and not making goofy faces and looking half asleep like he does in his comedies. And for fans of Hal Hartley's movies, Robert John Burke has a small part as Van Loon's angry assistant who doesn't buy into Eddie's sudden success.

The movie can be dangerous as it almost seems to promote drug use and with some major plot holes and unanswered questions, the movie may not be for everyone. But I found the film really exciting and interesting and well worth a look despite its flaws.