Basically a contemporary,sci-fi version of the theme of medically-assisted hyer-intelligence from Flowers For Algernon, Limitless serves up a glossy, campy take on smart drugs, along with the usual narrative involving the apex of personal achievement: corporate stardom. A failed writer in a creative rut accidentally finds and takes NZT, a laboratory drug bestowing extraordinary intelligence and learning ability. Abandoning writing, Eddy takes up the role of a guru stock market genus; learning languages at an alarming rate; absorbing economic data and creating spot-on predictions; and reaping the bacchanalian benefits.
Limitless offers a kitschy escape, a tale that leaves nothing after viewing, despite its happy ending suggesting the hallucinatory side effects, and likelihood of death from NZT, can be reverse engineered or simply provides a learning boost in the post-addiction period (I couldn't tell which). But it's blast, the kind of sci-fi that reminds me of The Island: a stylish, sci-fi B-movie with an exciting action narrative.
Yeah, loved the main character and I also loved the 'good' ending. Like you said, the film doesn't take itself too seriously and has a sense of humour which is refreshing for this kind of movie. And it doesn't get too stuck in moralizing.
ReplyDelete