The Number 23

Starring: Jim Carrey, Virgina Madsen, Logan Lerman, Rhona Mitra
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Thriller
2007

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A man (Jim Carrey) finds a book about the number 23, which is seemingly a book written about his own life. He begins to see the number 23 everywhere, and believes the number is cursed.

Review:

Tim: This is such a good concept. I love the idea of one number lording over someone's life, mysteriously connecting everything. This is a pretty frightening idea, especially if there is something sinister behind the number. These scenes are all great, and I wish there were more of them.

The movie is at its worst when we get these awful scenes of the book Jim Carrey is reading- the ones where Carrey has his hair all slicked back and everything is just surreal and weird. These scenes are just terrible, and sink the movie down.

For the most part, the cast is good. Carrey is generally likeable (except when the book scenes occur). He's a good leading man, and he is funny, but also really displays the fall into madness quite well. The part needed both humor as well as obsession, and Carrey delivers both, Virginia Madsen does a good job as Carrey's wife. She provides a good support for Carrey. The rest of the cast is decent, but don't add too much.

The film offers up some interesting twists and turns. There are a few good surprises. Some people will undoubtedly find the twists silly and stupid. I enjoyed them, however, and didn't see the surprises coming.

The Number 23 has a great concept, but falters on execution, as so often occurs in movies. There is enough here to keep you interested, and the concept of the number 23 is pretty fascinating (although nothing in my life seems to add up to 23). This is a decent movie, but not special at all. Don't feel like you need to rush out and see this, even if you are a Carrey fan.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Majestic, The Truman Show, Man on the Moon