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Limitless (2011)

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With the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access one hundred percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.

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Writers:

(screenplay), (novel)
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1,581 ( 411)
2 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Morris Brandt
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Valerie
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Hank Atwood
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Mrs. Atwood
Cindy Katz ...
Marla Sutton
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Detective (as Brian A. Wilson)
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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 ... Written by Relativity Media

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Everything is possible when you open your mind See more »


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

| | | |

Release Date:

18 March 2011 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Dark Fields  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,907,302, 20 March 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$79,249,455

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$161,849,455
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the movie, we see Eddie has written a novel called "Illuminating the Dark Fields", a resemblance to the novel "The Dark Fields" by Alan Glynn, on which this movie is based. See more »

Goofs

Shortly after Eddie borrows 100k from the Russian, he makes millions playing the stock market. Why didn't he pay the Russian back? See more »

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.
See more »

Connections

References The Matrix (1999) See more »

Soundtracks

The Believers
Written by Mariqueen Maandig, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Performed by How to Destroy Angels
Courtesy of The Null Corporation II
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
His Intelligence Has Its Limits
23 April 2011 | by See all my reviews

A pill can make you smart is indeed an interesting concept but what is more interesting is the directing. It's not an ordinary thriller movie. The director gave a lot of style in this movie to make it more exciting. It definitely works and the movie is limitlessly entertaining. There are some plot holes that the filmmakers doesn't intend to fix it but still it's worth watching.

The movie is of course about an intellectual pill. It's intriguing to know what's the side effects of it. Well, it's quite fun to know what's going to happened to the protagonist but the movie's smartness isn't very limitless. There are massive plot holes in here. There are also some confusion in this.

If there is something limitless in here then it's the entertainment quality. Neil Burger gave a lot of style and ridiculousness in this film. The editing was quite fast and fun. The zooming in through places is amazing. The soundtrack and the music score does perfectly fit in every scene. The performances were good. Bradley Cooper is an entertaining actor but he had some weaknesses in serious scenes like crying or being scared. Robert De Niro only shows up in times but you know him, he is just being himself and there is nothing wrong with that.

Overall the movie is ridiculously fun. The movie is no cliché, it's all unique by so many reasons including the trippy, vertigo, and zooming in style. It's intriguing, it's fast, and it's smart at times. "Limitless" is another movie that has merits that ignore the flaws. It's just a non-stop entertaining solid flick.


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