Director: Neil Burger
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and Abbie Cornish
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films which audiences treasure like Bradley Cooper. Ever since his rise towards fame in the 1990’s, Cooper has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s alcoholic singers, men with grim disorders or drug users, Cooper has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Cooper’s finest strength as an actor has always been strong commitment towards craft. He is one of those actors which has always had an aptitude for stealing the show in supporting roles that have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Cooper has left a long lasting impression. Through his ability to portray bold characters which are compelling, Cooper has created a commemorated legacy that’s lasting. An actor with a strong commitment towards his craft, Cooper has become a beloved icon in entertainment. Throughout a strong career, Cooper has made many unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Cooper and adore all movies which he has created in his career. However, “Limitless” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2011, Neil Burger’s movie offered a powerful portrait of drug addiction. Packed with strong production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the finest movies ever made about drug addiction. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Bradley Cooper, who portrays a heavy drug user enduring disaster. Ultimately, what makes “Limitless” a great film is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about drug addiction, it tackles strong themes which everyone will relate to. A riveting masterpiece about drug addiction, there are several strong reasons why “Limitless” is a film that is worth seeing.
“Limitless” tells the story of a writer that turns to using drugs with consequences that prove to be limitless. Bradley Cooper plays Edward Morra, a successful writer that seeks success in a tough profession experiencing a dilemma. Edward has often struggled to attain success in a competitive profession which involves a degree of tension. However, Edward’s life is forever changed when he’s given chances to use a drug causing disaster. When he’s given the drug by the CEO of his company Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro), Edward finds that he is given a chance to turn his life around. Faced with enhanced abilities, Edward is given a rare chance to find his identity. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Edward begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to attain success in a competitive profession causing a disaster.
Neil Burger is a newcomer towards the themes of drug addiction. Before he made “Limitless”, Burger had never made a movie about drugs before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of drug users facing tragedy, but he succeeded tremendously. Using strong cinematography, Burger captures a drug user on a journey to discover his identity. Evoking Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream”, Burger uses montages to capture a drug user seeking to overcome addiction. For instance, montages enhance the drugs consumptions scene. During this intense scene, Edward is made aware of the effects of the pill that he is using causing tension. Through breathtaking montages, Burger creates a portrait of drug addiction which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As David O. Russell’s “Silver Linings Playbook” suggested, montages enhance commemorated movies about Bipolar. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through strong visuals, Burger captures frightening hardships which drug users go through.
Another admirable aspect of “Limitless” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Burger effectively uses production to capture the lives of drug users which have grim addiction. Throughout the film, Edward’s apartment plays a pivotal role in capturing his drug addiction. For instance, the apartment is expertly used in the drug consumption scene. During this unforgettable scene, Edward has a tense experience of drug use in his apartment causing tension. Through stunning production, Burger created a strong portrait of addiction. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Paul Leonard-Morgan’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie an intense atmosphere capturing the burden that drug users bear. Through powerful production design, Burger captures drug users enduring a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Limitless” is a film about addiction that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, successfully using silence to capture drug users’ grim experience. Evoking Mike Figgis’ “Leaving Las Vegas”, Burger uses silence to capture drug users that endure a traumatic experience. For instance, silence elevates the drug withdrawal scene. During this intense scene, Edward faces severe symptoms of withdrawals when he is forced to suddenly part ways with his drugs. Through silence, Byrger creates a portrait of addiction that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Bradley Cooper’s “A Star is Born” suggested, silence elevates movies about the lives of alcoholic singers. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Burger captures the lives of drug addicts that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Bradley Cooper delivers one of his best career performances as Edward Morra. Cooper first earned appreciation for playing troubled men which have mental disorders. With “Limitless”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portrait a drug user experiencing adversity but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Cooper has often excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Limitless” showcased his finest strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he conveys the angst, determination and grief of a writer using drugs causing tensions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Bradley Cooper, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Robert De Niro is remarkable, capturing the sorrow of a drug user engaging in severe consumption of substances causing his life to hit a low. Abbie Cornish is captivating, capturing selfish nature of a woman that falls in love with a drug addict causing her dreams to vanish. Lastly, Andrew Howard merits recognition. As a businessman, he brings a powerful sense of authority to the movie.
Finally, “Limitless” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing drug addicts which are limitless. Unlike most movies about addicts, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, drug addiction and trauma which will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be substance users to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about addiction which will truly resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Limitless” is one of those rare movies about drugs that everyone would definitely without a doubt adore.
Fans of Bradley Cooper would definitely enjoy “Limitless” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting period piece about drug addiction, it celebrates an actor that deserves recognition.
A powerful portrait of writers that suffer from limitless drug addiction causing tension, it’s a dazzling reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has made unforgettable movies throughout his illustrious career which are definitely without a doubt worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 