What Do The Critics Say?

"Clips along with nifty camera tricks that mirror Eddie’s increasingly confused but erudite state. Cooper’s knack for slipping from cocksure to self-assured is a delight to watch. Limitless is unpretentious, compact, and loads of fun as it parses the combustible combination of ego, brains, and money." Andrea Chase KILLER MOVIE REVIEWS "Limitless hits you like an adrenaline rush that will have you saying, "I'll have what he's having." That's the thing about a popcorn thriller that really pops. You access way less than 20 percent of your brain and go with the hot, hedonistic flow. Cooper comes out swinging, spreading charm and sex appeal over the monster Eddie is becoming. And director Neil Burger matches his intensity." Peter Travers ROLLING STONE "This premise offers a lot of opportunities for straight popcorn fun, and the director seizes every one of them. Bradley Cooper, with his laser-blue eyes and air of sleek command, carries the movie with faultless style and Leslie Dixon’s script is unexpectedly funny. It’s a wild, brainy ride." Kurt Loder REASON ONLINE "De Niro doesn't have a lot of screen time, but delivers one great monologue about paying your dues with such authority. Cooper looks every inch the movie star. "Limitless" works as a kind of tongue in cheek celebration of the cerebral cortex. A relatively sharp and surprisingly playful head-trip, a satisfyingly novel twist on mindless entertainment." Tom Charity CNN "Director Burger finds visually inventive ways to illustrate the moments when Eddie's synapses are firing. Cooper has the kind of inherent smugness necessary to make this role work. He's the smartest wise-cracker in the room, making you want to both be him and throttle him. De Niro brings the required gravitas to his small but important part. Limitless is a deliriously loopy thrill-ride but all the better for it." Simon Reynolds DIGITAL SPY

"Moralists should know that while “Limitless” provides a gruesomely perfect illustration of addiction, it’s not particularly a cautionary tale: without risking any spoilers; it’s safe to confide that the supremely selfish Eddie survives, even after (possibly) committing some horrible acts. So if you want a movie with a sermon, well, look somewhere else. But if you want an adrenaline shot to the heart, look here. Stephen Whitty NEWARK STAR-LEDGER "De Niro and Cooper are electric on screen together. De Niro, though older, can still portray that "tough as nails" character with aplomb. And Cooper's transformation throughout the film is riveting. "Limitless" takes us on a wild, free-wheeling ride via the mind of Eddie Morra." Jeanne Kaplan KAPLAN v KAPLAN "An energetic fantasy, both cerebral and physical, with Bradley Cooper playing the charming lead." Harvey S Karten COMPUSERVE "From an obscure novel, "Limitless" is, at the risk of using a bromide, a truly "wild ride", providing sheer entertainment in a pulsating story with a totally unpredictable conclusion. Director Neil Burger has created what will likely be one of the more talked-about pictures of the year. See It Now!" David Kaplan KAPLAN v KAPLAN "What could have been a run-of-the-mill thriller winds up being an intriguing psychological drama thanks to Cooper's performance in the lead role, some pretty nifty visual tricks, and a storyline that doesn't need to dot every I and cross every T in order to work. Surprisingly good thriller that's propelled along at a fast-pace by an outstanding performance from Cooper. You just can't hide that much handsome sexiness for long, can you? Limitless is fairly smart, and smart films are few and far between." Rebecca Murray ABOUT.COM

The Inside Story Screenwriter Leslie Dixon was browsing through the shelves of a secondhand bookstore when she first came across the novel, "The Dark Fields". A riveting, high-concept thriller written by Irish writer Alan Glynn, the book had a premise that immediately intrigued her. What if there was a drug that would make you the best you could possibly be? A drug that allowed you to use every scrap of potential you possess? Would you take it? "I bought the book and started reading it," says Dixon ("Pay It Forward"). "About halfway through, I got a sizzle of excitement that it could be a Hollywood film. I eventually optioned it with my own money and wrote the script on my own to see if I could get it made without a lot of compromises. And here we are." The story’s provocative idea seemed like the perfect panacea for the Information Age, where an endless stream of data speeds past us all at an overwhelming pace. "The premise may seem to verge on science fiction, but that kind of technology is probably not far off,” says Dixon, whose diverse writing credits include such blockbusters as "Mrs Doubtfire", "Hairspray" and "Freaky Friday". "I’m sure there are researchers in labs right now trying to make 'smart drugs' to improve memory, cognitive function and reflexes." The main character, Eddie Morra, played by Bradley Cooper, is a writer slowly descending into oblivion. As the story begins, his girlfriend dumps him, his publisher threatens to drop him unless he can produce the manuscript he has promised and his landlady wants to evict him. But when an old friend slips him a tablet of the mysterious drug NZT, Eddie is transformed into an unstoppable torrent of ideas and accomplishments, bringing him the success he has always dreamed of. "I think most people, myself included, would take that pill if it was offered," Dixon says. "I think it reverberates with what's really going on right now in our society. People are taking things like Adderall to give themselves an edge. It's sort of ironic that we have begun to see drugs as a way to enhance our achievement rather than just to have fun." Watching Eddie’s journey from obscurity to wealth and fame is an entertaining ride. "And the things that he is able to do on that ride are things that we all aspire to. He can effortlessly learn foreign languages. He learns to read music in a day. Women drop at his feet after half a dozen sentences, because he's so charming and funny. All of these things are things that we wish we could do, and it's fun to go there with the character. When things get hairy and it turns out that bad people are after him, watching him think and fight his way out of those situations is exhilarating." Dixon gave the finished script to Scott Kroopf ("Zathura: A Space Adventure"), a producer she has known since they worked together on her debut film, "Outrageous Fortune" (1987). "It was such a strong concept, beautifully executed and filled with Leslie’s great sense of humor," says Kroopf ("Runaway Bride"). "She told me the amazing story of how she found it and did the original draft of the script for nothing. I immediately fell in love with it." The idea of a smart drug captured his imagination. "I have not yet met a person who isn't intrigued by the idea of being able to use 100% of their brain. You could see and perceive more. You might be more coordinated. You could learn faster and recover memories you thought you had forgotten long ago. Suddenly, it's all accessible." But at what cost? "Obviously, there is a price," Kroopf, who produced the 1995 film "Jumanji", acknowledges. "Anything that is like a steroid for your mind is an intrinsically dangerous idea." Once Dixon and Kroopf agreed to produce the film together, their first task was to find the right director. Neil Burger, who wrote and directed the 2002 Woodstock Film Festival Jury Prize winning film, "Interview with the Assassin", impressed them with his innovative concept for the movie. "I wanted the story to be completely believable, to play it absolutely real. Yet I also wanted to get into Eddie's head, to show how he perceived the world when he was on the drug, how he processed information and what it was really like to be so smart. I had a number of ideas for unconventional visual techniques to show how he perceives the world." And perception is exactly what Limitless is about, according to Kroopf. "We had to find someone who is visually oriented for the movie to hit its full potential. Neil was determined to find original ways to tell the story, so he embraced ideas that were visually more bold and daring than what many people do." Burger saw the story as both a thriller and a picaresque journey for Eddie. "He goes from an Everyman who's failing to a guy who is on top of the world." The completed film combines suspense, action and humor with stylish visuals for an unforgettable thrill ride. "It’s a great story with some really fantastic acting along with several surprising plot twists that give it excitement and thrills," Kroopf notes. "Think of it as the NZT ride. Bradley Cooper is in the seat right next to you and you're going through it with him. The movie plays out in such a way that the audience enjoys the fun of the ride, but they also get to walk out and say, 'Hey, if I was in Eddie's shoes, what would I have done?' It should be fun, but it probably will scare the hell out of you as well." The role of Eddie Morra is a demanding one, requiring an actor who can hold the screen while appearing in every scene of the film, and make a believable transformation from apathetic slacker into magnetic alpha dog. Originally the filmmakers wanted Shia LaBeouf for the role of Eddie Morra, but the "Transformers" star injured his hand in a car crash: ruling him out. "We all had our eye on Bradley Cooper," says Burger. "He’s an excellent actor, but studios always ask filmmakers, 'Can we finance the movie on his name?' Luckily "The Hangover" came out while we were casting and suddenly he was a real possibility. I met him in New York and we hung out for an evening, talking about the movie, about life, about everything. He has such a winning personality and I could see how it would translate to our story." "It's a tour de force part," Kroopf adds. "We needed someone charming, funny, smart and charismatic. Bradley Cooper was a rising star and he also just happened to be perfect for the movie. He's exactly the right age. He can play both the down on his luck, sad-sack writer and the articulate, brilliant guy who's using a 100 percent of his brain. Bradley has an opportunity here to use all his comedy chops, and then gets to show off all the other qualities he has as an actor." In Cooper, the filmmakers also found an actor who naturally pulls audiences into his world. "The genius of having Bradley Cooper play Eddie is that everyone wants to be his friend," says Kroopf. "Guys like him and girls really like him. He’s the kind of guy that you want to go out and have a beer with or go on some crazy adventure with." The actor brought his talent, enthusiasm and energy to a role that required complete commitment. "This script was by far one of the best I'd ever read," 2009 Hollywood Comedy Award winner Cooper revealed. "I have never talked to anybody who read it and didn't think that it was incredible from start to finish." Burger’s concept for the film was an additional lure for the actor. "Neil was clear from the beginning that he wants the viewer to go along for the ride with Eddie." Eddie’s spectacular rise in the financial world attracts the attention of billionaire Carl Van Loon, played by two time Oscar® winner Robert De Niro ("The Godfather: Part II" & "Raging Bull"). "Van Loon is one of the smartest guys in the financial game," Burger notes. "Robert De Niro is fantastic in the role, because he is an incredibly intelligent, powerful guy. He is also a very generous and kind person as well, and, at first, Van Loon comes off that way. He seems to be taking Eddie under his wing. But, as in De Niro’s best roles, there's something just a little sinister under the surface." Burger had met with De Niro shortly after "The Illusionist" was released and both men expressed an interest in working together. "At first the part of Van Loon didn’t seem important enough for him. But then we all thought, let’s at least take the shot. I spoke to him about it and he said he liked the part but didn’t feel like there was enough for him to do. I discussed some ideas about changing the part for him, he liked them and left the door open to go back to him. I told Leslie and she wrote some great new lines for him." "At first, Van Loon was more of a straight supporting character," Dixon recalls. "And then we all got really excited about the idea of De Niro playing the role. But I realized to my horror that I'd written kind of a standard part and there was nothing particularly special about it that would attract him. I holed up for a week and tried to imagine Robert De Niro saying these things. That brought quite a bit more color and juice to the writing." The changes worked and De Niro ("Little Fockers") signed on. "He dug right in and was a big contributor to the team," Kroopf says. "His level of preparation was phenomenal, and yet he was relaxed enough to keep making it real for Bradley." With Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper on board, the rest of the cast fell quickly into place, starting with 2004 AFI Award winning Australian actress Abbie Cornish ("Somersault") as Lindy, Eddie’s girlfriend. "Abbie has a luminosity that makes it especially sad to think that Eddie could have blown it with her," Dixon notes. "And indeed, one of the things the drug does is help him get her back." Along with the opportunity to work with two actors whose work she admires, Cornish was drawn to the overall quality of the script. "It’s extremely well-written," says Cornish, who starred with Oscar® winners Geoffrey Rush and the late Heath Ledger in the 2006 Neil Armfield film, "Candy". "This is a story you can lose yourself in because it feels like it could actually be happening. It’s totally believable and very contemporary." When Eddie decides to play the stock market, he borrows money from the only source that will give it to him, a smalltime hood named Gennady, played by Andrew Howard. "Gennady grew up in Russia and moved to the United States twenty years ago. He still has a thick Russian accent, and he’s a very scary, dangerous cat," Burger revealed. When Cardif, Wales born, Howard ("I Spit on Your Grave") was cast, he had some additional ideas that Nixon incorporated into her script. "Leslie and I talked about how it would be funny if every time you see him, his vocabulary is better, and he's a little more erudite. He develops a slightly different look. I wouldn't say he's looking good. It’s more Euro-trashy nightclub." Howard spent time researching his character in Brighton Beach’s large Russian community as well as another in New York City. "The movie is a rip-roaring thriller. It's got edge. It's got brilliant performances. It's got Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper. Neil is an extraordinary director and he knew exactly how to tell this story. He always brought a little something extra to the table that would give it more nuance and color." What's It All About?

Aspiring author Eddie Morra 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 blue pill. Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm, parlaying a small stake into millions. His accomplishments catch the eye of mega-mogul Carl Van Loon, 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 murder investigation as he attempts to hang on to his life and dwindling supply long enough to outwit his enemies.

The Verdict "In "Limitless", Bradley Cooper showns he's not just a handsome face: but an actor who really does have star-power. Having already made a mark for himself in theatre (he made his Broadway debut in the 2006 Joe Montello production of "Three Days of Rain", opposite Julia Roberts and Paul Rudd) and on the small screen (Aidan Stone ion the critically acclaimed F/X drama "Nip/Tuck"), Cooper has gone on to appear in a wide genre of films such as: Todd Phillips's "The Hangover"; co-starred with Sandra Bullock in the zany "All About Steve"; was part of a who's-who list of stars cast in the 2010 rom/com "Valentine's Day" before, in the same year, playing Lt 'Faceman' Peck in Joe Carnahan’s action-packed re-imaging of "The A-Team". But his role as Eddie Morra is something else. Here, in a film that boasts two time Oscar® winner Robert 'Bob' De Niro and a highly capable, polished supporting cast who contribute much to the film, Cooper launches himself into stardom with a demonstrably, stylish performance. His character Eddie Morra certainly gets our attention. From a down and out bum, to cock-sure and bulletproof, to crunch-time, when he finds himself on the edge of a high rise building contemplating suicide, Cooper makes us care where Eddie's life is heading: even when it is spiralling madly out of control. "Limitless" is a thrilling, highly engaging, rollercoaster ride, that will provide audiences with a rewarding experience. 4 1/2 STARS." Who Is Playing Who?

Bradley Cooper Robert De Niro Abbie Cornish Andrew Howard Anna Friel Johnny Whitworth Tomas Arana Robert John Burke Darren Goldstein Ned Eisenberg T.V. Carpio Richard Bekins Patricia Kalember Cindy Katz Brian Wilson

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Eddie Morra Carl Van Loon Lindy Gennady Melissa Vernon Man in Tan Coat Pierce Kevin Doyle Morris Brandt Valerie Hank Atwood Mrs Atwood Marla Sutton Detective

The Production Team Directed by Neil Burger Screenplay by Leslie Dixon Adapted from the Alan Glynn novel "The Dark Fields" Produced by Leslie Dixon/Ryan Kavanaugh/Scott Kroopf Original Music by Paul Leonard-Morgan & Nico Muhly Cinematography by Jo Willems Film Editing by Tracy Adams & Naomi Geraghty Casting by Douglas Aibel Production Design by Patrizia von Brandenstein Set Decoration by Diane Lederman Costume Design by Jenny Gering Run Time 105 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2011 - Roadshow Films - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2011 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.