Limitless (2011)

Limitless, directed by Neil Burger and written by Leslie Dixon, is a thriller movie released in March of 2011. The movie begins with the narrator, Eddie Morra (Brandley Cooper), a writer, who just signed a contract with a publishing company to write a novel. Suffering from writer’s block, he hasn’t been able to write a single word for the book. One afternoon, he’s introduced to a pill known as NZT-48. The pill allows him to use 100% of his brain power as opposed to the standard 10%-20%. After he consumes the pill, he becomes brilliant in just a few minutes. He runs home and motivationally starts writing his novel. Words start pouring out of his brain as rain pours from the sky, and within a couple of days, he finishes writing the book.

The following day, the effects of the pill have worn off. Eddie goes out and gets a hold of a whole stash of these pills. He uses the pills to gain analytical skills for trading in the stock market. He starts making a huge percentage of his small investments, and manages to make millions within one week of trading. Later, he starts working for Carl Von Loon (Robert De Niro), a finance tycoon, as his “magical investor.”

Like almost all pills, NZT-48 has many side-effects. Eddie experienced headaches, dizziness, vomiting, and forgetfulness. After doing some research he discovered that everyone that has taken NZT-48 is either sick or dead. To prevent side effects, he took a daily dosage of NZT-48 and even took it to the lab so he can have a “limitless” supply of it.

In the beginning of the movie, Eddie Morra is dressed in an exceptionally impoverished fashion. He seemed very messy, which indicates that he’s having some rough times. This feeling of mystery makes the viewer curious as to what exact hardship is the character confronting; it could either be drugs, health, poverty, or crime.  This instantly catches the viewer’s attention, as almost all great movies need a character with an exceptionally rough upbringing, as it solely inserts interest to the movie. Thrillers are the main genre where this happens. Right away, after the first couple of scenes of the movie, the viewer is left posing many questions: Why is this character dressed in such an impoverished fashion? What could have occurred to him? What is his story? The setting of the movie certainly complements to the sense of misery that the character is first presented with. The setting takes place in New York City, which also happens to be the home to many homeless individuals. New York is known for being an exceptionally busy and hardworking city. This creates a situation where Eddie appears not to fit in with the New York daily routine, as he is certainly more calm and relaxed than most individuals around him. This perhaps proposes to the viewer that the character is possibly jobless.

The beginning of the movie has quick changing of location in New York City. The use of “fast cutting” hints the viewer that the movie is trying to depict a timeline of a story. This is highlighted by the specific camera perspective which is facing straight forward and going inwards as if the viewer is traveling through events in time.

Moreover, throughout the movie, I noticed consistent change in image clarity. I noticed that whenever Eddie was on NZT-48, the image quality was very clear and colors were explosive. However, when the NZT-48 wore off, the image quality got less clear and a little dull. I felt that this was a great way to illustrate the different phases Eddie was in throughout the movie.

Additionally, I felt that the movie was a little disjointed. More specifically, the scenes weren’t all connected. Most of the scenes were quite interesting, but it didn’t necessarily form a cohesive whole. Also, some aspects of the film seemed a bit out of place and seemed rushed (events were happening too fast).

The sound in the beginning of the movie is the type of sound you’d hear on a typically busy day in New York City. The sounds included are the classic honking cars, moving cars, buses, and trains, sirens, and most importantly, the mysterious soundtrack. In the thriller genre, it’s common to have an introduction which perhaps foreshadows an event later in the movie. The use of this particular soundtrack foreshadows an incident which is perhaps dangerous and outrageous. The sirens seem to suggest an incident where crime may take place, and where people may be physically hurt.

I had an incredible experience watching this movie. I really enjoyed this movie mainly because it’s a thriller movie which got me interested from the very beginning of the movie. Also, I really like the way they used “fast cutting” to illustrate a timeline of the story. This made me feel as if I were traveling through the events in time. Some of the things I didn’t like was how the movie was disjointed. Meaning, the scenes didn’t necessarily form a cohesive whole. Nonetheless, I would still recommend the movie.