THE NUMBER 23 (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

The Number 23 should have used anyone other than Jim Carrey for its main character. Carrey doesn’t play the bad guy/creepy guy well. He’s established as the official 'comedy delivery person' and it can be unsettling to see him outside that genre. The film becomes monotonous with the fixation on the number 23; it seems the audience, not very far into the film, will be screaming 'Get over the number 23 and move on.'

Storyline

Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey) is given a book to read by his wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), which little by little reveals a dark and sinister act that requires establishment of justice.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Joel Schumacher for his directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Richard Brener, Mike Drake, Toby Emmerich, Keith Goldberg, Eli Richbourg, and Brooklyn Weaver for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Walter Sparrow/Fingerling (Jim Carrey), Agatha Sparrow/Fabrizia (Virginia Madsen), Robin Sparrow (Logan Lerman), Isaac French/Dr. Miles Phoenix (Danny Huston), Suicide Blonde/Mrs. Dobkins/Young Fingerling’s Mother (Lynn Collins), Laura Tollins (Rhona Mitra), Sybil (Michelle Arthur), Kyle Flinch (Mark Pellegrino), Young Fingerling/Young Walter (Paul Butcher), and Hotel Clerk (David Stifel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It’s understood that Jim Carrey may desire to broaden his scope beyond the genre of comedy. But, sometimes when one does something well and is being paid well for it, one needs to stay within those boundaries and give an audience what they desire/expect. Kudos to the attempt, but this one just doesn’t satisfy.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers