The Number 23 is Lavishly
Produced and Takes Obsession and Paranoia Head-On... Just Not
Very Well.
The Number 23 showcases Joel
Schumacher's ability to create a beautiful and lavish film and not shy
away from obsession, paranoia and insanity. Unfortunately he just
didn't sell the concept well, and Jim Carrey didn't do much to save it.
Written
by BHM Editor Don
Sumner February 24, 2007
Release:
February 23, 2007 Directed by: Joel Schumacher Written by: Fernley Phillips
Starring:
Jim Carrey as Walter Sparrow/Fingerling Virginia Madsen as Agatha Sparrow/Fabrizia Logan Lerman as Robin Sparrow Danny Huston as Isaac French/Dr. Miles Phoenix
Conspiracy theories – I love them. The grassy knoll, area 51,
the Kennedy connection to the death of Marilyn Monroe and what ever
happened to Jimmy Hoffa anyway? There are a million of them.
One of the most ridiculous and pointless of all conspiracy theory
scenarios is the one depicted in the horror film The Number 23.
Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey), through a series of "coincidences", gains
possession of a little red book titled The Number 23.
As he reads the book he starts to believe that the book is actually
about him – too many details describe events in his own life.
And that number, 23, is everywhere. He sees it on the street, the
letters of his name and his social
security number add up to the number 23, his birthday is on February
3rd (2nd month, 3rd day, 23!) and on it goes. Where the numbers do not
fit he makes them fit by creative math, and Sparrow becomes obsessed.
In the book he is reading the lead character descends to madness and
becomes a maniacal murderer, and Sparrow begins to lose his own mind
and believe that it is his destiny to become a murderous monstrosity
himself.
The Number 23 has obsession, madness, surprise plot
twists and turns and shocking revelations. Unfortunately none are
pulled off very well. Joel Schumacher (director) succeeds in creating a
visually beautiful film with effective lighting, composition, sets and
locations. The other elements were not successful. The primary troubles
with The Number 23 are:
• Jim Carrey: I
like him, he is a good actor…but he is so horribly wrong for
this particular role that it just wrecks the whole thing.
• The Obsession: Yes, they point out that if you are
sufficiently motivated you can make anything add up (or divide or
multiply or transpose) to 23. So what? Who cares if there are 23s
everywhere you look? If you want me to buy-in to the fact that this
number will drive someone to madness, then you are going to have to
make me believe that there is a reason why it matters. Sell it!
• The Surprise Twist: Surprise endings and plot
twists are great, as long as they are handled in such a way that you
are shocked and intrigued to “learn the truth”.
This one was so convoluted that I found myself muttering
“whatever…”
The
Number 23 was highly anticipated and highly promoted, and had
Jim Carrey in a decidedly non-comedy role. Therefore I will be
surprised if it does not do well in the box office in the first week or
two. It may even get some glowing reviews…but this will
pass. The Number 23 is forgettable and ridiculous,
and even those who are willing to “suspend reality”
for the sake of good horror will be tested beyond their limits.
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or comments about The Number 23? Contact us!
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book is actually
about him – too many details describe events in his own life.
And that number, 23, is everywhere. He sees it on the street, the
letters of his name and his social
security number add up to the number 23, his birthday is on February
3rd (2nd month, 3rd day, 23!) and on it goes. Where the numbers do not
fit he makes them fit by creative math, and Sparrow becomes obsessed.
