The Number 23 movie with Jim Carrey. In Joel Schumacher’s thriller, the Dumb and Dumber and Liar Liar actor has been cast against type as no less than two characters: A book reader and the book’s lead character, whose life seems to parallel the reader’s own.- The Number 23 (movie 2007) review: Generally associated with lowbrow comedies, Jim Carrey is (badly) cast against type in Joel Schumacher’s vapid metaphysical thriller.
The Number 23 (movie 2007) review: Jim Carrey is (mis)cast against type in Joel Schumacher’s inane and thrill-less metaphysical thriller
In 23 words: The Number 23 is a thriller that serves as an example of inept filmmaking characterized by the complete absence of logic and suspense.
Director Joel Schumacher, whose previous films include Bad Company and The Phantom of the Opera, has come up with a stupefyingly nonsensical effort marred by plot holes of canyonesque proportions. Worse yet, screenwriter Fernley Phillips seems intent on sidestepping every opportunity to add suspense to his absurd tale.
Believers of the so-called 23 Enigma – the idea that all events are connected to the number 23 – might get a thrill out of this, but for everyone else scarcely anything will add up.
The ‘mystery’ of the number 23
For dogcatcher Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey), the mystery of the number 23 begins when he dives into a puzzling novel his wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), bought him for his birthday. The book, which shares its title with the movie, tells of a bizarre murder investigation led by a spooky detective named Fingerling.
As he reads on, Walter discovers that he and Fingerling have something terrible in common: Everything in their respective lives adds up to the number 23. As a result, Walter becomes obsessed with the idea that the book is a mirror image of his life and starts to see “23” everywhere: His social security number, driver’s license, birthday – even the day he first met his wife.
From then on, all the movie does is oversupply its audience with loads of peculiar dates and numerical combinations that, whether by fair or foul means, all add up to 23. The human body, for instance, is made up of 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 (4 + 1 + 5 + 1 + 9 + 1 + 2 = 23). Two divided by three equals .666, the number of the devil. You get the picture.
‘Numerical trivia’
Unfortunately, Schumacher and Phillips got so enmeshed in that excessive numerical trivia that they forgot to develop a compelling storyline.
In their desperate attempt to create a stirring atmosphere, they merely switch back and forth between Walter’s fixation on the number 23 and his reading of the book. The latter sequences consist of a series of gloomy setups, with Carrey also playing Fingerling. How original.
Mark Stevens’ edgy editing provides The Number 23 with its only positive element.
Jim Carrey disappoints
Jim Carrey, whose remarkably idiosyncratic performance in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind proved his capacity for playing drama, mostly disappoints in his double role as (unfunny) animal control officer and tattooed detective. Perhaps that’s because the development of Walter’s obsession with the number 23 feels so rushed and devoid of credibility that it’s almost comic.
Ultimately, you don’t have to be a math wizard to crack this frivolous puzzle. But considering the idiotic decisions the characters make throughout the film’s 93-minute running time, why would you care to?
The first page of Walter’s novel reads: If anything in this book reminds you of yourself or anyone you know, stop reading immediately! If only Walter had done so.
The Number 23 (movie 2007) cast & crew
Director: Joel Schumacher.
Screenplay: Fernley Phillips.
Cast: Jim Carrey. Virginia Madsen. Logan Lerman. Danny Huston. Lynn Collins. Rhona Mitra. Michelle Arthur. Mark Pellegrino. Paul Butcher. David Stifel. Corey Stoll. Ed Lauter.
Cameo: Bud Cort.
“The Number 23 (Movie 2007): Miscast + Inane Thriller” review text © Franck Tabouring; excerpt, image captions, bullet point introduction, and notes © Alt Film Guide.
“The Number 23 (Movie 2007): Miscast + Inane Thriller” notes
Jim Carrey The Number 23 movie image: New Line Cinema.
“The Number 23 (Movie 2007): Miscast + Inane Thriller” last updated in April 2023.