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Taking a deeper look at current and past films and how they relate to the world today.

Jonathan Kim is an independent film critic who writes and produces film reviews for Uprising and other outlets. He is a former co-producer at Brave New Films.

Read his reviews online at ReThinkReviews.net. Watch his videos at www.youtube.com/user/jsjkim, and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReThinkReviews. ReThink Reviews’ theme song is by Restavrant.

Limitless

It used to be that drugs were only used for two things: pleasure or the prevention of pain. But those days seem long gone, since we now use drugs as a shortcut to self-improvement or performance advantage, helping us lose weight, stay focused and awake, build muscle, lower cholesterol, or regulate our moods.

With the increasingly accepted mindset that there is or should be a pill to solve or enhance anything, are we far from the day when pills can create a new class of wealthy, chemically-induced overachievers? If that pill existed, would you take it? And what would you do with your newfound abilities?

Those are questions asked in the surprisingly good, refreshingly original film LIMITLESS, where Bradley Cooper plays Eddie, a failing writer who unexpectedly finds himself in the possession of a wonder drug called NZT that allows him to utilize 100% of his brain’s capacity, transforming Eddie into a social and intellectual phenomenon. But like with any drug, there are unintended consequences, which take Eddie and the audience on a journey that gave me the rare and delightful feeling of not knowing what would happen next.

When Eddie takes NZT, not only does he become wicked smart, but also motivated, charming, intellectually curious, and perceptive — essentially the best possible version of himself. So after cleaning himself up, writing the great American novel, and seducing hot women, Eddie does what most of us would — try to make some quick cash. This leads him to borrow money from a Russian thug played by Andrew Howard, while Eddie’s uncanny talent for investing draws the attention of billionaire Carl Van Loon, played by Robert DeNiro in a terrific turn that shows what one of DeNiro’s wiseguy mobster characters might be like if he got an MBA.
Abbie Cornish plays the ex-girlfriend Eddie wins back with the help of NZT, only to become a target as dangerous men attempt to locate Eddie’s stash.

Director Neil Burger does an excellent, creative job of visually portraying the effects of the drug, using angles, lenses, colors and effects to show how Eddie thinks and sees the world when he’s on or off the drug, or suffering from its side effects. Cooper, in his first true leading role, is perfectly cast, convincingly playing a schlubby loser, a fast-talking playboy whizkid, and an addict who keeps you engaged and rooting for him, despite his sometimes questionable, possibly criminal behavior.

America today seems unusually obsessed with miracle cures and unearned, instant success. Maybe it’s because the economy and our broken political system have left us feeling so helpless, or after being number one as a country for so long, we’re unwilling to accept the hard work and sacrifices needed to earn our way back to the top. Instead of the hard work of self-improvement, healthy choices, and struggling in a fixed economy, why not hope for a miracle drug or to win a reality show? Why take the long route when a shortcut seems just out of reach?

Limitless — with strong performances, visual flair, and a surprising amount of humor — makes these fantasies tantalizingly possible in the form of a little clear pill.

Limitless is rated PG-13 and is in theaters now.