Limitless (Relativity Media)
Brain Power
Bradley Cooper becomes a full fledged movie star in the new film Limitless. In this movie he has the starring role and holds his own even in scenes with the legendary star Robert De Niro. It was Hangover that got him noticed but he was one of three stars in that flick. In Limitless the story centers totally on his character and he rises to the occasion to give the role his all.
In the film Cooper plays Eddie Morra, a down on his luck aspiring writer. He has a book contract but just cant seem to get the words down on paper. His girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) is fed up with his shiftless ways and breaks up with him. So things are a little bleak for him.
Then he meets his ex-brother-in-law Vernon (Johnny Whitworth) on the street. Vernon offers him a tablet that he says will make all his problems go away. He also says it is FDA approved. Eddie at first says no but then says yes. When he takes the pill his life becomes much clearer. Then though a series of events he gets his hands on a huge number of the pills. His new life is off and running.
Still everything comes with a price and the price is where the movie takes a dark turn. Eddie may be riding high for a while but there is always that possibility of him falling down or being brought down..
Cooper makes the most of this starring role. Eddie, in his hands, turns into a charmer and a conniver. He never quite escapes the sleaziness his past, and this residual shiftiness is what gives Coopers performance balance.
De Niro has a brief role as a Wall Street investor who sees in Eddie a gold mine of opportunity. It is not a great role and De Niro is only adequate in it. Cooper more than holds his own when they share the screen.
Anna Friel plays Eddies first wife and Cornish is the current girlfriend who comes back into Eddies life. Neither of these actresses is outstanding but Friel makes more of an impression than Cornish.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and violence.
Limitless has a plot that holds the viewers interest. Plus it has a star making performance by Bradley Cooper. Put these two elements together and you have a movie that entertains. Rest assured you wont be bored, especially when the people hunting for Eddie close in for a confrontation.
I scored Limitless a limited 7 out of 10.
