For all the sci-fi/thriller enthusiasts out there, Neil Burger’s 2011 film is the way to go. Zooming in on the life of Eddie Morra, he lives an average life as a struggling writer. All of this changes when his ex brother-in-law, Vernon Gant, offers him a mental enhancing drug. Sure enough, Eddie transforms his life around and reaches new heights of success as a financial genius. This captures the attention of Carl Van Loon, a businessman who wants to profit off of Eddie’s abilities. With side effects, a limited supply, and hit men on the loose, Eddie must see how far he is willing to go for this “invincible” drug.
Bradley Cooper brilliantly plays the role of Eddie Morra. His girlfriend, Lindy, is acted out by Abbie Cornish. Robert De Niro assumes the character of Carl Van Loon. Johnny Whitworth portrays the role of Vernon Gant.
The movie was mostly filmed in Philadelphia and New York:
- Eddie’s apartment is 19-21 Henry Street and Catherine Street toward the south of Chinatown in the Two Bridges district. It is also seen in Kick-Ass (2010).
- The scene when Lindy breaks up with Eddie takes place in Philadelphia at Marathon Grill, 1818 Market Street at 19th Street.
- The scene when Vernon offers Eddie the drug at a bar was filmed at Happy Rooster, 118 South 16th Street at Sansom Street, Philadelphia.
- The office of Eddie’s publisher is 200 5th Avenue, alongside 23rd Street subway station. It was the same newspaper office Eva Mendes worked at in Hitch.
- The shot when Eddie gets offered a finance job after showing off his abilities takes place at Union Trust Steakhouse, 717 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
- Eddie experiences the drug’s after effects when he ends up on New York’s Fifth Avenue outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- The meeting between Carl Van Loon and Eddie in the St. Regis Hotel was really filmed at the Ritz-Carlton, 10 Avenue of the Arts, Philadelphia.
- After Lindy takes the pill, she ends up on Central Park’s Wollman Skating Rink between East 62nd and 63rd Streets.
Some interesting facts:
- The movie was originally called, The Dark Fields, based on the book it was adapted from.
- Shia LaBeouf was the original casting for Eddie. However, he had to give up the part after injuring his left hand in a car accident.
- Maserati North America donated two $120,000 cars for production.