The movie Limitless is great eye candy: a light snack for movie-goers as far as techno-thrillers go. The director, Neil Burger, does a good job with visuals despite a plot that is needlessly complicated, full of holes in logic, and unimaginative.
Condensed Summary of the Plot of Limitless, the Movie with Bradley Cooper
Eddie Morra (played by Bradley Cooper of the 2009 movie, The Hangover) is an author who takes a drug that activates 100% of his brain, instead of the ten to twenty percent that is commonly believed to be used. He uses it to finish the book he was behind in deadlines, sky rocket to the top in the stock market by working for a financial tycoon played by Robert De Niro, and woo back his girlfriend (played by Abbie Cornish of the 2011 movie, Sucker Punch).
Andrew Howard does a great job as the Eastern European loan shark/thug who becomes hooked on the miracle drug himself. The subplot with Howard's role, Gennady, was unnecessary as one of the great illogical pieces of the film. However, Burger did a great job in the scenes with the thugs.
The plot is unimaginative as a whole, as Limitless does not take the potential far enough. The vision in the movie Fight Club was much more gratifying, grandiose, and totally appropriate. For the movie Limitless, one would think that the imagination would reach higher than conquering the stock market and running for President of the U.S.
Review of Neil Burger's Directing for Limitless, the 2011 Movie
The directing for this film has its high points and low points.Due to the multiple subplots, Neil Burger has lots of opportunities to have fun with the thriller aspects of the movie. The good thing is that he does have fun with the movie, doesn't overdo the special effects, and gives De Niro his due. The bad thing is some of the scenes are weak.
Burger's high points in directing the movie Limitless are really, really high. Burger makes use of dizzying camera effects to mimic the rush of taking the drug, effectively drawing the audience into the experience. These effects are not overdone, but actually help keep the movie coherent and tied together in all its plot chaos. While De Niro's role is limited, his acting sparkles and Burger gives him impeccable due during his brilliantly-delivered speech putting Eddie Morra back in his place.
The low points in Burger's directing job are forgivable. It is not the fault of Burger that the plot is overloaded with subplots, has multiple holes in logic, and shortchanges De Niro and Abbie Cornish. However, it is the fault of Burger that the chase scene in New York Central Park is weak and unexciting. It is the fault of Burger that chemistry is lacking between Bradley Cooper and Abbie Cornish in the few scenes that they have together.
The movie is overall a good experience, in great part thanks to the directing and in some part thanks to the acting. Cooper and De Niro's chemistry is good; Cooper proves himself somewhat versatile but not completely convincing emotionally in this film. The directing definitely carries this film, saving it from disaster of a chaotic and unimaginative plot.
Go see the movie if you want eye candy, don't want to think too much, and just want a fun ride for 105 minutes. Don't go see the movie if you loved the ending of Fight Club, because Limitless the movie will disappoint you.
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