Limitless (2011)

Wonderful Movie

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

A drug that puts your entire brain to use? That's the drug I have been looking for all my life. So I was super keen on watching this movie. It didn't disappoint. It was every bit of the crazy ride I would expect it to be. The super-highs of being able to use your brain to its maximum potential. The terrible lows of withdrawal. The dangers of getting mixed up with the wrong people and rubbing powerful people the wrong way. This movie portrayed all of these brilliantly. What I liked even better was that the movie didn't take a preachy "don't do drugs, it's bad for you" turn towards the end. In fact, Eddie goes on to become the senator and still continue to pop the magic pill. Great movie.

Overall plot of the movie was very good but I wasn't expecting this simple end. I still don't get the answer to what will happen when he will be out of pills? His brain works so bad, can't he just manufacture himself? Maybe the guy in the lab which was shut down should do something I guess.

I find this movie both fascinating and at the same time limiting. It also unwittingly reflects on the questions of our mind, subconscious, creativity, abilities and what we can do with it all. I'd say that the way these notions are portrayed in the movie is more of a male view on the situation. Creativity cannot be forced and writer's blocks can be unblocked in so many other ways but by a single pill. Mastery, for me, lies not in taking pills to unlock our great abilities, hidden talents and enter the subconscious but by looking into ourselves, uncovering our own values, truths, talents and at the same time staying open to the world around us, staying tuned in, also using our intuition as well as logic. In a combination they are very powerful. On the other note, the struggles of the main protagonist, Eddie Morra, reminded me of so many writers, especially male ones, who try to solve everything by force, pills, drugs or alcohol and forget that the most powerful source is within us. They just should start using their intuition and creative side to unlock it. Having said that, I still believe it was fun to watch the movie to see how it will all end up.

Limitless is an ambitious movie with one of the most riveting concepts in recent time. The concept coupled with superb acting by Bradley Cooper and truly mesmerizing cinematography lead to an enjoyable movie. However, the film has shortcomings specifically in its storyline that prevents it from reaching its full potential. The movie starts off great but the plot derails midway due to an overly predictable straightforward storyline, despite the predictability it still has some suspenseful moments that make you not want to look away from your screen. Overall the film provides quality entertainment and has a concept that will keep you intrigued throughout the movie.