A Reel Review: LIMITLESS

Years from now, LIMITLESS just may be one of those films that college professors would explore in a film theory class; an example of formulaic, paint-by-numbers, cookie-cutter filmmaking. Take a down and out loser, give him immense power, and watch him screw it up. The film could be used as such an example in a marketing perspective as well; take a young and hunkish actor, pair him up with a screen legend, and push the film as a roller coaster ride. But does it all work on screen?

Eddie, A failing writer (Bradley Cooper), is a depressed slob, watching his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) and his publisher cut ties from his screwed up life. Things change when he runs into his drug-dealing ex-brother-in-law, who gives him a pill which allows him to access all of his brain functions (normally us humans can only access 20%). Creativity and logic becomes easy, and Eddie learns new languages, writes a novel in 4 days, and makes millions on the stock market while catching the attention of power broker Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro).

LIMITLESS is a too-much-power-too-soon story disguised as a story of addiction. The film thankfully doesn’t spend a lot of time on the horrors-of-drugs angle, and focuses more on Eddie has he irresponsibly tries out his new brain powers. LIMITLESS starts off strong, pulling the viewer into Eddie’s brain and giving us a first-hand look at his awakening. Director Neil Burger sets a great tone; the film is seen in darks and grays when he is off the drug and in livid color when he is on it.

However, things start to derail and fall apart around the midway point. Burger, not knowing what to do with a great established character in the form of Eddie, tosses in a shitload of subplots that just distract and derail things. Russian gangsters and a stupid murder plot pop in now and then and just annoy the living hell out of everything, with the murder plot going away just as fast as it came around. A shame, as the story of Eddie should have been strong enough to carry the film.

Cooper shines as Eddie; pulling the viewer right into his shoes. De Niro just kind of shows up for this one; too often showing off that squint-and-grimace that’s quickly becoming boring.

Despite the issues, LIMITLESS still makes for entertaining viewing thanks to some strong pacing and a neat premise. The film never bores, sags or drags; the foot is on the accelerator throughout. Perhaps its greatest fault is that for a movie that is all about brain power, it doesn’t provoke a whole lot of thought.

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it.