July 24, 2007

The Number 23

The Number 23 is an ok film.
I won't even bother reposting the editorial comment from Amazon, because they slammed it pretty hard.
I found the film interesting. Sure, it could have been done a whole lot better, but it was alright.

Was Carrey a convincing schizophrenic murderer?
Yes and no.
I think people are so used to him being funny, that any role outside of the norm for him is looked at with an eye of total disbelief.
I think people would rather he be funny.
I thought he did ok. Not totally convincing, but believable to a point.

It's an interesting concept though.
Carrey plays Walter Sparrow who becomes obsessed with the number 23 after his wife gives him a book for his birthday.
Unbeknown to the both of them, this is the actual suicide/confessional of Sparrow from 13 years previous when he killed his lover and then attempted to commit suicide.
It was a failed attempt leaving him brain damaged, but his confessional was found by the police with names changed, so police and doctors did not realize it was the actual confession for killing his girlfriend.
A doctor at the mental health institution reads the confessional, and he then becomes obsessed with the number 23, but publishes the book under an assumed name.
Then Walter's wife finds it, gives it to him, he reads it and slowly starts piecing the numbers together until he becomes manically obsessed with the number all over again, and ultimately remembering his nasty deed.

It was an alright film, interesting to watch the numbers add up.