Limitless (I) (2011)

A writer discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities.

Director:

Neil Burger

Writers:

Leslie Dixon (screenplay), Alan Glynn (novel)

Stars:

Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish

6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bradley Cooper	...	Eddie Morra
Robert De Niro	...	Carl Van Loon
Abbie Cornish	...	Lindy
Andrew Howard	...	Gennady
Anna Friel	...	Melissa
Johnny Whitworth	...	Vernon
Tomas Arana	...	Man in Tan Coat
Robert John Burke	...	Pierce
Darren Goldstein	...	Kevin Doyle
Ned Eisenberg	...	Morris Brandt
T.V. Carpio	...	Valerie
Richard Bekins	...	Hank Atwood
Patricia Kalember	...	Mrs. Atwood
Cindy Katz	...	Marla Sutton
Brian Anthony Wilson	...	Detective (as Brian A. Wilson)

Storyline

An action-thriller about a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As one man evolves into the perfect version of himself, forces more corrupt than he can imagine mark him for assassination. Out-of-work writer Eddie Morra's (Cooper) rejection by girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) confirms his belief that he has zero future. That all vanishes the day an old friend introduces Eddie to NZT, a designer pharmaceutical that makes him laser focused and more confident than any man alive. Now on an NZT-fueled odyssey, everything Eddie's read, heard or seen is instantly organized and available to him. As the former nobody rises to the top of the financial world, he draws the attention of business mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who sees this enhanced version of Eddie as the tool to make billions. But brutal side effects jeopardize his meteoric ascent. With a dwindling stash and hit men who will eliminate him to get the NZT, Eddie must stay wired long ...

---

Plot Keywords:

drug | writer | experimental drug | pills | book | 

---

Taglines:

What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

---

Genres:

Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [de]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian Italian

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dark Fields

Filming Locations:

Philadelphia Soundstages, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£2,087,363 (UK) (25 March 2011)

Gross:

$79,235,468 (USA) (1 July 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, Rogue

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital DTS SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Morra, Bradley Cooper's character's last name, is the imperative of "to die" in Portuguese, which means the name of the character is something like "Edward Dies" or "Edward Die!".

---

Goofs

When Eddie is talking to Melissa in the café Melissa's response is instant to Eddie's line, the response is unnatural and partly cuts into Eddie's line.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Eddie Morra: Obviously I miscalculated a few things.
Man: [banging door] Eddie! I know you're in there.
Eddie Morra: Why is it that the moment your life exceeds your wildest dreams, the knife appears at your back? Well, I'll tell you one thing... I will never let them touch me.

---

Connections

Referenced in The L.A. Complex: Burn It Down (2012)

---

Soundtracks

"Chocolate and Cheese"
Written and performed by Jon Kennedy
Courtesy of Tru Thoughts Recordings
By Arrangement with Third Side America

User Reviews

Original and Intriguing Thriller

The aspirant writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is a complete loser and has been just dumped by his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) that sees no future in their relationship. While walking back home, Eddie meets his former brother-in-law Vernon (Johnny Whitworth) on the street and Vernon gives the experimental drug NZT to him to increase his creativity to write his book. Eddie uses the drug and the results are impressive, increasing his brain capability and he decides to seek out Vernon to ask for more pills. However Vernon is murdered in his apartment and Eddie calls the police, but the finds the NZT hidden in the stove with a large amount of money.

Eddie uses the drug and successfully invests the money that belonged to Vernon, calling the attention of the financial world. Then Eddie borrows US$ 100,000.00 from the dangerous criminal Gennady (Andrew Howard) to increase his own fortune, but Gennady takes one pill by force and uses it. Meanwhile, the powerful investor Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro) brings Eddie to work in his team in a merging operation. But Eddie is chased by a stranger and pressed by Gennady that want the NZT, threatening his life.

"Limitless" is an original and intriguing thriller with the story of a man capable to use the full capacity of his brain. The film is full of action and developed in fast pace, with Bradley Cooper's character experiencing ups and downs while using the experimental NZT in a permanent mouse-and-cat game. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Sem Limites" ("Limitless")