Review of The Number 23 (2007) by Lisann J — 09 Aug 2010

Repelling between whip-smart terror and a muddled mess, The Number 23 defines wasted potential. Its premise, that of the fact-based ?23 enigma? (most events in life can supposedly be tied to this number) causing obsession and murder in an average Joe, held great promise and the script did a laudable job of fleshing out the concept to its twisty conclusion. The movie?s miscasting and over-directed execution, however, left much to be desired.

In the PG-13-rated psychological thriller The Number 23, dogcatcher and family man Walter Sparrow (Carrey) becomes psychotically obsessed after reading a book that ties all of the events in his life back to one particular number.

Director Joel Schumacher?s last psychological thriller, Phone Booth, suffered much the same fate. This movie could have been a brilliant Hitchcockian thriller had he taken a minimalist?s approach, shooting it quick and dirty to heighten the tension a la Duel. Instead, just as with The Number 23, the story was buried beneath the overblown theatrics (drowning scenes in color to evoke mood and constantly changing angles using flash-cuts) that have become Schumacher?s signature. This pomp arguably worked for the director with Phantom of the Opera, but logic should dictate that psychological thrillers and musicals require wholly different approaches. The same could be said for casting Carrey, who has failed at being a dramatic actor so often (The Majestic, Fun with Dick and Jane) that he should be given an honorary Oscar. The rubber-faced comedian simply tries too hard, betraying whatever emotion is coming next long before the scene requires it.

Bottom line: This Number?s up.