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

Director Neil Burger has stated that "Limitless" was originally intended to be rated R by the MPAA.

---

Goofs

During the realtor's presentation it is shown that the "vault grade door" has multiple bolts that go into the steel frame. The Russians only cut out the one lock at the door handle.

---

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

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.113 (2011)

---

Soundtracks

"I Don't Care If There's Cursing"
Written by Matthew Houck
Performed by Phosphorescent
Courtesy of Dead Oceans
By Arrangement with Bank Robber Music

User Reviews

Definitely a fun movie!

If you've ever found yourself staring into nothingness, wondering why you couldn't muster even a hair of energy to get up and do something, then you're going to find this movie highly satisfying. Limitless takes you on a ride... and that's not an exaggeration. The computer graphics create a glimpse into what it would actually feel like to be a "super-you." The writers also did a great job of creating a character that from the start... pretty much charms your pants off. Bradley Cooper actually surprised me. I never thought he was a bad actor, but he was able to honestly portray a guy that had absolutely nothing going for him and became a "somebody." The movie graphics, plot, and main actors (well, DeNiro, Cooper, and Johnny Whitworth) were all intriguing. It's not just a movie about what crazy things some drug can make you do... it creates a discussion within each of us, "What if you could unlock all the potential of YOUR mind, who would you be?" Now the downsides... some of the supporting actors were very weak. Also, there were some scenarios that went off the deep end but actually had the audience laughing hysterically so it wasn't exactly a bad thing. If you thought you'd get a deep or scientific explanation for the drug... don't hold your breath. Thankfully the plot was engaging enough that you didn't really care. The movie had some interesting ideas but some that I especially loved were the ones about identity, and about taking something to make yourself better and whether that meant you were actually you or an altered you. Does it matter even? One last thing I gotta say though, the one guy, Johnny Whitworth, did a really great job. I hope he gets some major roles in the future because I think he's very talented.

I'd definitely recommend watching this movie. If only just for the ridiculous scene with the skates. Hilarious.