The Number 23 - Review

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Distributor: New Line Cinema

Release Date: 2007-02-23

Starring: Jim Carrey, Virginia Madsen, Logan Lerman, Danny Huston

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Produced by Beau Flynn, Fernley Phillips, Tripp Vinson

Written by Fernley Phillips

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Reviewed by Josh Tyler : 2007-02-07 15:40:23

In The Number 23 Jim Carrey stars as a dog catcher who dreams of being a detective. That might have made it a strange prequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, except for director Joel Schumacher, who has a thing for splashy thrillers. Instead this is a tale of an obsession which begins on Walter Sparrow’s (Carrey) 32nd birthday when his wife (Virginia Madsen) gifts him with a used book called “The Number 23”. Sparrow starts reading, and quickly notices some very strange similarities between his life and that of the book’s slick detective lead character Fingerling. The film flips back and forth between reality and fantasy as Walter reads, and the story becomes even more eerily similar to his past. Soon Sparrow becomes obsessed not only with the book, but with its main character’s fixation on the number 23. It’s not long before he starts finding the numeral everywhere around him in his daily life. His desperate insistence on finding who and why this is happening to him soon threatens to destroy both he and his family.

Except it never quite works. The problem is part Schumacher’s directing, part Fernley Phillips’ script, and in larger part a complete lack of ability from Jim Carrey. Thrillers just aren’t the right tune for Carrey to dance to, and as if somehow compensating for his lack of familiarity with the genre Jim spends most of the movie mugging and overacting. It’s a problem throughout the film, but it’s most obvious in Fingerling’s fantasy sequences. Carrey plays both Walter Sparrow and Fingerling, and the difference between the two, aside from a ton of fancy tattoos, is that Fingerling comes off like an anime reject. He grimaces and scowls his way through his scenes like he’s trapped in a of gritty, noir version of Looney Tunes. They’re fantasy sequences, so a little hyper-reality is understandable, but Schumacher amps thing up right to the edge of reasonability with dozens of camera gimicks and then Carrey shoves the pic right over the cliff by waving around silly, pointless props and posing like some sort of bizarre male pinup.

Things don’t get much better outside the fantasy arc, when we’re supposed to be rooted in the world of Walter Sparrow’s boring, normal family. The script makes them incredibly ready to put up with Walter’s nonsense. In fact, his kid jumps right on the bandwagon and starts becoming as much of a lunatic as his father. His wife seems only mildly concerned when all signs point to her husband going completely batty and she goes out of her way to avoid considering the fact that father of her kid is a nut. You’d think somewhere along the way someone might at least mutter the word “crazy” behind his back. Sorry, these people don’t think like that. By the end of the movie, Walter and his unbelievably understanding family are telegraphing their every move. The film’s big surprise finale is blown long before we get to it, simply because it’s the only explanation for all the slightly skewed behavior going on in the narrative. The only ones who don’t seem to have it figured out are the characters running around on screen.

The film’s saving grace is in the numbers. Schumacher goes out of his way to work various permutations of the 23 into the film everywhere, whether his characters notice them or not. Half the fun of The Number 23 (and there is fun to be had in spite of its problems) is in watching for the number to pop up, in counting letters in names, adding up figures from signs, and simply watching all the little foreshadowing cues left lurking around throughout the film. Schumacher does such a good job of it, that you’re likely to leave the film feeling a tad obsessive yourself. Don’t be surprised if you start adding up the numbers and letters on license plates on your way out of the theater through the parking lot, looking for Walter Sparrow’s cursed integer.

Is a lot of post-movie number scavenging worth the price of admission? Maybe without Carrey it could have been. He’s too wrong for the role. The part requires a kind of subtlety he just doesn’t have. Jim barely gets by as a dramatic actor, as a crazy on the loose in a thriller he’s more looney tunes than lunatic. You’re not Robin Williams Jim. Get back to making us laugh. Do it while you still can.

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LeAnn223
February 17, 2008 at 21:43

i havnt seen the movie yet... but in about 5 minutes im gonna start it but im just wondering if its scary or confuzing? by the review it seems confuzing but i was hoping it would be scary:(

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yahmaal
December 1, 2007 at 15:03

This is my five cents on the movie:
and Im from the bahamas

1.I am 23 this year
2. when i bought the bootlegged version which usually costs $5
i got it for $3, a $2 discount-23
3. the license plate on the truck i work in adds up to 23
4.my new student number that i just received at the college
of the bahamas adds up to 23
5. the current prime minister of the bahamas is Hubert Alexander Ingraham -23 letters
6. his political party has 23 seats in parliament
7. His political party's name is The Free National Movement-23 letters
8. The main opposition is Progressive Liberal Party-23 letters
9.My grandmothers phone number is 325-5638 =32
10. this year, my 23rd year, is the year somebody robbed me at gunpoint on October 5th, 2007=24 but close
11. Rastafari lives and reigns -23 letters
12.Haile Selassie I + Rastafari= 23
13.Haile Selassie was born on July 23, 1895

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Jaimee :)
November 10, 2007 at 19:50

Personally, I think Jim Carrey did an incredible job. He played the CHARACTER well. We're all use to seeing Jim in his usual comedy attire and that could possibly be why people think his acting was horrible. But he is challenging himself and the character was displayed really well.
In my opinion :)

And the plot plays with your mind. Its a daring film. Its interesting and it was designed to linger in your head for ages, intended to MAKE you see the number 23 everywhere as well. So it may be ridiculous, but thats the point of the movie.

Its a good movie, but in some ways, its bad.
But watch it for the things behind it :)

Thats what a movie is about.

Mannn, I'm an amatuer but shh
I'm only 14 :D

And I completely agree with Scarlett about Casey (August 7, 2007) and this is also to Hermish Sprinster (March 11, 2007).
There are ratings for a reason and the ratings tell us what is suitable for what age group. You're also the one responsible for your children. YOU saw the ratings, yet YOU let your children watch it. Shame on yourself, not the movie.

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animony
October 17, 2007 at 18:18

the worst movie ever...

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scarlett
September 16, 2007 at 11:45

This is to Casey. (August7, 2007) I'm not sure why you would even come on here and make a comment like that when there are clear warnings that this IS an R rated movie...

The Number 12
Rated R for violence, disturbing images, sexuality and language.

You were expecting what exactly?

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PooMan
September 13, 2007 at 12:04

I just wanted to reply to what Kimberly wrote on the 22nd of Feb:

Dear Kimberly. Please don't ever write comments again. That was as painful as listening to a child who needs to repeat words ad nauseam in each and every sentence. Holy 'expletive deleted' + 'mild expletive'. What's wrong with you?????

And don't even get me started on vacuous morons who think it's cool to use phrases like 'biatch' etc. Such brainless twits, apparently vying for the title of dumbest twit in the world (including america)!!!!!

Aside from that, Kudos to those who recognised that Jim Carey IS capable of acting precicely as the role required, and not jumping on a critic-bandwagon that gets off on type-casting people to help themselves feel better about their station.

I say Well Done to Jim Carey, and hope he continues to challenge himself.

Peace Out!

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Kasey
August 7, 2007 at 16:15

i was horrified. i could'nt believe blockbuster was even allowed to rent out this next to porno movie. i turned off the movie right after the over the top sex scene in the woods. im just speachless. i would never let anyone in my family watch such a terrible movie disgracing a woman like that. and shame on that actress. shame on jim for agreeing to this terrible role. i hated this movie!

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caolan
August 6, 2007 at 07:18

I was glued to my seat watching the film.... otherwise I would of left!

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Rose Marie
March 20, 2007 at 14:32

Come on people, can't you write?? Everybody gets a little lazy sometimes but all these posts look like they've been written by toddlers. Unless you are toddlers. In that case I apologize.

I haven't seen Number 23 yet but I have seen every JC movie he has ever done, and I'm reading reviews to get an idea of what it's like before I go and see it. So far, it doesn't sound great but maybe I'll like it anyway. I think it's pretty neat that Jim Carrey is exactly 23 years older than me though...

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Hermish Sprinster
March 11, 2007 at 21:56

this has got to be the most x rated discrace i have ever seen i had to cover my childrens eyes on several occosions please dont allow your children to witness this mostrosaty they call a movie.

Yours,
Hermish

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blap
March 5, 2007 at 16:07

Breathe, stretch, shake

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Paul
March 4, 2007 at 20:55

Just seen the film, and its not to bad. Loads of bad reviews, however the story ticks along, without any gaping holes, and Carey puts in a reasonable performance. The ending is a bit weak.... and a littel to Disney, but considering the main stream market, what would you excpect... Am sure given the option both writer and director would have given the viewers something a lot more macabre...

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Jonny
March 4, 2007 at 03:25

Well..Here is my scoop.
We went to see "The number 23" Today..eh heh
We arrived at "7:23" to the movie theatre..made me wonder a little
We bought tickets and popcorn, as i sat down i looked at my watch "7:32" and 23 seconds" already i was tripped out pretty much..but i'm not one to beleive shit like this im, with the guy above talkin about "if you look around you can find any number" well yea that's true, if i wanted to find 9 i could go into history and find thousands of things that added up to it. make a movie. freak people out.
That isnt all thoe..it gets a little crazier
My birthday is 3/31/88 yea..23
I Saw this with my girlfriend.
Toni G Arce - Jonny D Townsend
4 +1+ 4 =9 5 +1+ 8 =14 9+14=23
the biggest scare of the night however..was when i got to my house.
i turn on the tv. and it says "Volume: 23" at the top in big red letter.

This whole night has kind of made me look at things in a different way. And after reading this entire page of comments i beleive there is **Possibly** more out there than can be explained by logic or science.

one last thought. The movie was good, worth seeing if your even the slightest bit curious, you won't be let down. Thoe there were quite a few contridictions and things that really didnt make sense it was nice.

*JIM CAREY IS AS GOOD AT DRAMA AS HE IS AT COMEDY*
Screw the 23 theory, see this movie because it is the
king of comedy actin serious for once in..history

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Daniel Joyce
March 2, 2007 at 03:17

I can understand the critism of Jim stemmed from previous roles but I actually quite liked this thriller. I said to my girlfriend that if the main actor in this film was Denzel Washington and the script was thweaked here and there then the film would of been successful. I personally like the fact of the obsession and Jim carrey actually plays that quite well, like being swayed from light to dark. The overhyped camera tricks and puns where intended to make you feel like you are imagining reading the book and is done well by probably the worst director to do something like this - props to the person who realises this is Joels 23rd film - but thusly all I can say is: It could of been great and is a very good try from amateurs of trying to play this field this is a stepping stone and a very good first step.

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Gary
March 2, 2007 at 00:58

I personally think that Jim did a great job. Just like always.

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charley
March 1, 2007 at 09:11

this film was so awful, the only realise i didnt walk out was the fact is was so bad it could have only got better, sadly it didnt get better

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Jim
February 27, 2007 at 21:23

This movie is not a departure for Jim. I found myself laughing at the stupidity of the premise and crappy acting. I spent most of the time looking at my watch, at one point when I looked it was 6:23. 6 divided by 2 is 3. 23! Wow......Very creepy! I left before it ended. Worst movie ever! BTW, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is my favorite.

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Orc
February 23, 2007 at 00:32

I think this movie will just be creepy, not scary. Jim Carrey seems like he could look pretty creepy...

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lynn
February 23, 2007 at 00:32

I saw this movie last night and it was totally lame. There were hardly any scares or excitement.

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kimberly
February 22, 2007 at 20:05

dude,i bet this movie will be really scary,but it does seem like a good movie so I cant wate 2 see this movie tomarrow at the studio movie grill.IT WILL BE THE BOM!!!BUT I HOPE IT WONT BE SCARY IF IT IS THEN I WILL SCREAM MY FREAKEN HEAD OFF JUST IF ITS SCARY

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Cameron
February 22, 2007 at 13:42

This movie blows!!!!

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Cameron & Joey
February 22, 2007 at 13:42

Jim is freaking awesome, and u better see this movie on the 23rd, or u are not a true fan, and should burn in the pits of hell. Besides the mayans predict that the world will end on December 23, 2012. ULL BE GLAD U SAW THIS MOVIE! NOW PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT BI ATCHES! BOO YAH!

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Mickey
February 22, 2007 at 00:07

The best movie of his so far.....Cable Guy.....I loved it and know manyothers who also do

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Jason Ellingsworth
February 21, 2007 at 18:30

I am a fan of almost all of Jim Carrey's movies, and I will check this one out. The reviews so far leave me a bit concerned though. Unfortunately I do not have the ability to not see a movies flaws, and when I see them I quickly write the film off as a failure.

This film looks like it may be more of a novelty film than a serious attempt to be an emotional thriller. A films story can be set in a completely unrealistic fantasy setting, but if the characters acting is not convincing, or if their actions do not make me feel like part of that fantasy world, then it is doomed to fail. I fear Jim may have let me down on this one.

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Donna A.
February 20, 2007 at 00:03

Wasn't there a movie out not long ago that was base on the same theam? But it was played for laughs?
I might check it out. I like Jim Carrey when he isn't over the top.
Donna A.

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