Like the Rain Man on acid, Limitless is a film full of possibility and extremes, but a number of shortcomings dilute this otherwise flawless release... 

Whether you like him or not, Bradley Cooper is a man you better get used to. Since The Hangover, Cooper has become - if you will - the 'man of the moment', with the likes of The A-Team, All About Steve and Valentine's Day all cementing this position. Furthermore, Bradley has now worked with some of the biggest stars of modern film, with the likes of Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts and Ashton Kutcher all featuring within his ever-expanding repetoire. However, Limitless is without doubt Cooper's biggest role to date, and with Robert De Niro co-starring, represents the steps of a made-man; but is it any good? The answer to this is a stuttered - if not somewhat irksome - yes.

Limitless sees Bradley Cooper cast as Eddie Morra, a down and out "writer" who, despite obvious talent, is living a sad and morbid existence. Divorced once and cursed by the stagnant progression of his long over-due sci-fi novel, Morra's life is just one pitiful mistake after the next. However, a chance meeting with old brother-in-law Vernon, a former drug-dealer turned self-appointed pharmaceutical rep, offers Eddie the chance of a lifetime, a fresh and eye-opening approach towards his otherwise failing life. Thanks to NZT, a unreleased - and untested - medication, Eddie is able to achieve everything and anything he has ever dreamed.

As the key to the labyrinth that is his mind, NZT allows Eddie to access 100% of his brain, as opposed to the limited neuro-activity that we are all meant to possess. With this God-like ability, Eddie can do anything - he finishes his book in four days, masters a multitude of new languages, learns and subsequently manipulates the stock market - nothing is beyond his reach. Unfortunately, while his reach and diversity continue towards their 'limitless' climax, Mr. Morra develops some rather nasty acquaintances. As Uncle Ben best said, "With great power, comes great responsibility" and our protagonist soon begins to realise that, while the drug has the ability to make his dreams a reality, its side effects are life threatening. Before long, Eddie is debted to a gangster, being chased by an unknown hitman and experiencing prolonged periods of memory loss, with no recollection as to what - or who - he has been doing. To make things worse, Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro) is becoming increasingly suspicious of this zero-to-hero stock prodigy and, before long, Mr. Morra risks losing everything.

To be honest, the story itself is hit and miss; guy becomes super intelligent, does super intelligent things before dealing with the super intelligent risks; yet Limitless' appeal comes from its concept. For years, there has been much discussion as to what percentage of our brain we use, and what potential anyone capable of accessing its full capacity would possess. What Limitless does - and rather effectively I may add - is prey on the ideas and notions that we as a society have created, whilst introducing a degree of consequence with which to expand on those. Through Morra, Limitless weaves a tapestry so diverse - so original - that it makes The Matrix look commonplace.

However, it is the film's ability to evoke fresh thought and debate amongst its audience that is its biggest achievement. While its primary premise is one of a fictional nature, the deconstruction of Eddie's life is powerful stuff and, as Limitless takes us through his triumphs, failures, conquests and wrong turns, you cannot help but leave the cinema assessing your own life. For me, the result was a 40 minute brainstorming on my way home and a range of improvements and corrections throughout my life, but this level of assessment is sure to differ from person to person; yet Limitless - at the bare minimum - will change your outlook on things.

Backing up its thought-provoking script are a number of impressive acting performances, all of which add to Limitless' appeal. De Niro is convincing as Carl Van Loon, albeit not one of his stand-out roles; Andrew Howard is entertaining as Gennady, bouncing well off Cooper's energy and providing a number of humorous moments throughout; and Cooper himself takes well to his first real solo role, bringing a suave and cultured approach to his character's rather unconventional make-up.

Unfortunately, despite its strong script and acting prowess, Limitless does have the tendency to drag slightly. The first 40 minutes of the film introduces us to Eddie, his downward-spiralling life and his failing relationship, but that's about it. While I understand a film needs time to build an understanding with its audience, 40 minutes felt excessive, and one cannot help but feel that Limitless would have benefited from a better spread of action as opposed to the dotted occasions on which it occurs.

On top of this, Limitless never really reaches the heights that its advertising campaign led us to believe; but whether this is a failing of the film or a triumph of its marketing I'm not exactly sure. What I am sure of though is that Limitless constitutes an idea - and script - worthy of its namesake, but needed a Ridley Scott-esque approach towards its action to constitute a five star rating.

Overall, Limitless is a thrilling production that takes a theoretical idea - explores it - and translates said theory into a fully functional who, what and when theatrical smorgasbord. With its 21st century feel and significant depth of recognisable actors, Limitless could easily be described as the end product of a chance meeting between Albert Einstein and Gordon Gekko - no thanks to its infusion of both science and Wall Street - and it is this originality that makes Limitless a great recommendation. But be warned, NZT or no NZT, this film is certainly an eye-opening experience and will leave many of you reassessing your own existence...so be sure to keep an open mind.

See also:

Source Code movie review

The Adjustment Bureau review

The A-Team review

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE HELP SUPPORT OUR SITE, AT NO COST WITH ONE CLICK ON THE FACEBOOK 'LIKE' BUTTON BELOW: