It’s pill, or be killed . . .
Hannibal and Dominion are only two examples of big-screen-to-TV adaptations. Is Limitless going to be a successful small-screen translation? Debashine Thangevelo takes a look
AHIT movie does not a successful TV series make. Nonetheless, this has become a misconception that continues to proliferate in Hollywood.
As a critic, I have witnessed hits and misses that fall into this category.
So where does Limitless, which is based on the movie that’s inspired by the book The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn and starred Bradley Cooper as Eddie Morra, a struggling writer, rank?
Despite the somewhat tweaked storyline and approach with Jake McDorman playing Brian Finch, a down-and-out musician, Limitless is watchable, but not in a forceful light.
The series opens with Finch finding himself on the run as the prime suspect in the murder of an old friend. This after being introduced to the powers of a miracle, but illegal brain drug known as NZT-48.
Along the way, he manages to save the life of his doting father, who suffered from a condition that was difficult to diagnose.
In trying to clear his name, he finds himself hired by the FBI, to help Special Agent Rebecca Harris (Jennifer Carpenter) solve cases. However, they also have an ulterior motive for having him in their crime-fighting fold – they want to observe him as a guinea pig for this drug.
This makes things interesting for Finch as his new job leaves him entwined in conspiracies involving rival government agencies as well as secret organisations.
Amid the unfolding storyline, there is a an imposing amount of cartoon graphics that flit across the screen. This is a rather defeating exercise as it does nothing to enhance the appeal of the series.
McDorman’s lack of big and small screen exposure does make him the perfect candidate to helm the TV series. However, die-hard fans will remember him from Shameless and American Sniper.
On being drawn to the series, he reveals: “I first heard about Limitless when the movie came out in 2011. I saw the movie and thought it was really cool. The fact that they are expanding the universe with this show, is great. I think that’s a really hard thing to do. And I think Craig (Sweeny), Marc (Webb), Bradley (Cooper) and everyone involved have done a really good job of doing that.”
The storyline, however, does feature Morra, but in more of a mentorship role to protagonist Finch.
McDorman adds: “Eddie Morra is not just where we left him – he’s actually gone even further. It’s exciting and a little scary.
“When we meet Brian, you are not sure where in the timeline of the movie this series starts taking place. You soon learn, through posters and interviews you see on TV, that Eddie is now making a run for the White House. So it’s cool to know that, but in a different trajectory. When those paths intersect and how they do so, makes this really, really exciting to play with.”
The transformation of Finch, on and off the drug, is handled well by the actor.
Finch’s relationship – not to mention restrictions – with the FBI also fuels the storyline when they explore the issue of him going rogue.
The actor points out: “It’s an underdog story. It’s somebody who really had nothing going for him and he achieves more than he ever thought possible. Limitless follows him through the experiences of trying this drug that lets him use 100 percent of his brain. As you know, with great power comes great responsibility.”
Given the whole Leonardo DiCaprio hubbub over a brain-boosting pill that helps him cope with his demanding career, it does make this subject matter limitless with possibilities. Longevity, however, is yet to be determined.
Limitless airs on M-Net (DStv channel 101) on Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm.