The Number 23 is an intense psychological thriller. This is not a popcorn flick, nor is it a light-hearted drama with which to relax. Headlining Jim Carrey, I never imagined the powerful drama that unfolds in The Number 23.
Jim Carrey stars as father and husband Walter Sparrow. Virginia Madsen plays Sparrow’s wife Agatha. Walter and Agatha Sparrow’s teenage son, Robin, is played by Logan Lerman. By all accounts, the Sparrows are a simple, happy family. Until, by a twist of fate Walter Sparrow opens a novel he can’t put down and which will change his life forever.
Sparrow feels an unsettling connection to the novel, The Number 23. He begins to believe the author knows him and has written a book that parallels his life, despite some differences. Most authors dream of a reader drawn into their compelling writing. The Number 23 becomes a psychotic nightmare from which Sparrow cannot disengage himself. From dreams, to daily coincidences, Sparrow becomes tortured by the theme of the book that drove insanity, suicide and murder in the novel: the number 23.
Not only does he begin to see the number 23 every where he turns, but he becomes paranoid and obsessive about the number’s meaning, and its influence in his own life. The enigma of the number 23 and its recurrence in his birthday, his name, and scientific formulas and information begin to taunt Walter, gnawing at his mind and conscious.
The movie weaves in and out of the written work, and the life of Sparrow, via dreams, imaginations, and insane coincidences. Sparrow eventually finds himself on the verge of becoming like killer about whom the book was written. His wife, Agatha, and son, Robin, try to intervene, but Carrey’s character becomes driven, nearly unstoppable.
The movies climax is psychologically gripping and compels the viewer to see the story through. Will Walter become the novel’s murderer, Fingerling? Will the tangled web of reality and fiction drive Walter over the edge? Will his family be able to reach Walter, or will his obsession control his life, and ultimately ruin it?
Viewers will also find themselves questioning his wife’s role as faithful mate, or saboteur. Her dark, yet true, comment, “Every time I read a book it’s like an author stole a part of me I never knew” is one among many comments and actions that lead viewers to question her role in the psychotic progression of her husband, Walter.
The Number 23 is a mind bending, twisted drama that keeps viewers thinking, guessing, and perplexed. Jim Carrey gives delivers one of his best performances I have ever seen. Carrey steps away from mind-numbing nonsense and slapstick to demonstrate amazing depth of character in The Number 23. Madsen, Lerman, and others offer a super supporting cast.
I didn’t choose to watch The Number 23, but I gained a lot from watching it. It is an uncanny exploration of the human mind. Many audiences and critics have given The Number 23 an average rating. The movie had more sex and violence than I care to see, however, I give it four stars because it is engaging and thought provoking. If you are looking for mindless entertainment, that we all need sometimes, don’t be fooled by Jim Carrey’s association with this movie; pass over The Number 23.
The Number 23 is now available on DVD. It was directed by Joel Schumacher, written by Fernley Phillips, and distributed by New Line Cinema.
The Number 23 is rated R for violence, disturbing psychological content, sexuality and language.
