At the Movies with Fatwayne

This was a neat little techno-thriller about a loser at life, Eddie Mora (Bradley Cooper) who is failing at everything he does including his relationship with his girlfriend, Lindy (Abbie Cronish). Just as everything in his life is turning into a bad case of diarrhea, he runs into his ex brother-in-law Vernon Grant (Johnny Whitworth) who tells him that he is a representative for a drug company. In reality he certainly does sell drugs but mostly of the street variety. Vernon has come into possession of samples of a  new drug called NZT-48 which offers some amazing properties. It has the ability of focus one’s brain to the fullest extent possible rather than the 20% that most people utilize. Alas, like all good things, too much of this magic pill can cause some horrific side effects including death.

Eddie manages to convince Vernon to get him a supply of NZT and all of a sudden he becomes able to not only remember everything he has ever heard or read but his brain manages to sort everything out in a logical order just waiting for Eddie to retrieve the information. He finally settles on the financial arena to make his mark and soon becomes a force to be reckoned with. His meteoric rise in the financial world catches the eyes of some fearful characters who want to learn the secret of Eddie’s success regardless of his well-being.

Eddie is taking more of the drug than he should and soon notices some frightening side effects. Additionally, his stash is dwindling and he realizes that he can not keep up the pace and success he has achieved without replenishing his supply. Things go down the toilet like a fresh turd when his supplier, Vernon, is murdered. Eddie’s desperate search for a new supply and equally desperate struggle to stay alive while being pursued by hit men rounds out this thought provoking film. Is he smart enough to prevail and avoid the eventual pitfalls of his wonder drug? Is he smart enough to vanquish the thugs who are trying to kill him? Can he overcome the powerful tycoon, Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro) who “owns” him?  All of these questions are answered most satisfactorily at the conclusion of the movie. In my opinion, this is a must see!

Rated  -  PG13  -

Fatwayne’s Rating

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