SYNOPSIS: Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro star in Limitless, a paranoia-fueled action thriller about an unsuccessful writer whose life is transformed by a top-secret “smart drug” that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life in this darkly comic and provocative film.

Aspiring author Eddie Morra (Cooper) is suffering from chronic writer’s block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new pharmaceutical that allows him to tap his full potential. With every synapse crackling, Eddie can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard, learn any language in a day, comprehend complex equations and beguile anyone he meets—as long as he keeps taking the untested drug.

Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm, parlaying a small stake into millions. His accomplishments catch the eye of mega-mogul Carl Van Loon (De Niro), who invites him to help broker the largest merger in corporate history. But they also bring Eddie to the attention of people willing to do anything to get their hands on his stash of NZT. With his life in jeopardy and the drug’s brutal side effects taking their toll, Eddie dodges mysterious stalkers, a vicious gangster and an intense police investigation as he attempts to hang on to his dwindling supply long enough to outwit his enemies.

REVIEW: Eddie Morra: I was blind but now I see.

Oh yeah, he can see, no doubt about that as he unlocks his brain’s full potential. Can you imagine that possibility by just simply taking a pill? It’s like steroids for the brain, but like steroids, it has a downside and consequences. It would be too good to be true if there weren’t any repercussions to taking this drug. Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) finds out the hard way. This guy went from completely down-on-his-luck slash borderline street bum to the most interesting man in the world overnight. The only thing missing was a bottle of Dos Equis beer in his hand. The movie is insightful, intellectual, intense, dramatic, and thrilling. It explores a really good “what if” situation and puts an interesting story around it. If you are feeling skeptical about Bradley in the lead role of this film, don’t worry he did a pretty good job carrying this movie. The intriguing concept and storyline make his job a little easier. He’s also got DeNiro playing a supporting role to help him along as well. DeNiro just needs to show up and by default you get a good performance. In this case, he’s good but there really isn’t much to write home about with this role. What he does best with this character is keep Bradley on his toes. A sharp performance was given by Andrew Howard as Gennady, a shady character that gives Eddie a real hard time. He’s the kind of guy you don’t want to run into in a dark ally, and Andrew plays him well. The ladies get their eye candy from Bradley while us guys get eye candy in the form of Abbie Cornish. I’d swear she’s a Charlize Theron look-a-like and that’s a major compliment. But don’t let her looks fool you; she does a fine job with her role as Eddie’s on again off again girlfriend.

There is some light use of special effects in the film and it is tastefully done. Interesting camera action is used in the opening sequence of the movie and again later on that is really cool. It is hard to describe so you will have to see it for yourself, but it is kind of like a fast traveling camera that cuts through all obstacles. It might make you a little dizzy actually. The story might get you a little dizzy too as you follow Eddie through this journey of awakening. Some of you might think that the movie could lean towards being juvenile as Eddie unleashes his brain power and takes advantage of the benefits, but I can tell you that the plot of this film is mostly adult strength. The intellectual dialogue is also impressive and Bradley delivers. His character also delivers a line to DeNiro’s character, toward the end of the movie, that I don’t recall anyone saying to DeNiro ever in any movie. You need to hear it for yourself because I think it is cinematic history in the making. This is Director Neil Burger’s (The Illusionist, The Lucky Ones) fourth motion picture direction and he is doing some pretty good work so far. This latest production will not let you down.