Limitless.

[rating=6]

Another film recommended by my friend Abhaya. To make it worthwhile, his message to me said “‘Limitless’. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro. Fabulous.” I bought it lock, stock and barrel and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the film.

Thank you Abhaya.  It was fabulous in both the classic and the ordinary senses of the word.

Eddie Morra: Well, in order for a career to evolve, I’m gonna have to move on.

Carl Van Loon: And you would even think that, would only show me how unprepared you are to be on your own. I mean you do know you’re a freak? Your deductive powers are a gift from God or chance or a straight shot of sperm or whatever or whoever wrote your life-script. A gift, not earned. You do not know what I know because you have not earned those powers. You’re careless with those powers, you flaunt them and you throw them around like a brat with his trust-fund. You haven’t had to climb up all the greasy little rungs. You haven’t been bored blind at the fundraisers. You haven’t done the time and that first marriage to the girl with the right father. You think you can leap over all in a single bound. You haven’t had to bribe or charm or threat your way to a seat at that table. You don’t know how to assess your competition because you haven’t competed. Don’t make me your competition.

Eddie played by Bradley Cooper and Carl Van Loon played by the inimitable Robert De Niro.

Why particularly this dialogue? Unless I have missed something elsewhere, this must be the longest speech made by Niro in any film. Apart from the length of the delivery, just look at the message that it sends to people who think that they can compete with someone who has gone through the mill to reach the top!

And another one, short, sharp and thoroughly enjoyable for an alley cat who had oncc climbed the corporate ladder:

Loon: Have you been talking to anyone?

Morra: No, I haven’t been talking to anybody, Carl. I’m not stupid.

Loon: I know you’re not stupid, Eddie, but don’t make the classic smart person’s mistake thinking no one’s smarter than you.

Some script writing what?

There are other actors who almost all play small but powerful roles but these two carry the story on their shoulders and very broad shoulders they are indeed.

A very unusual story, told with brutal honesty and aplomb.  Acting and direction of the highest order with some very deft camera work, makes it a must-see if you have not already seen it.