The Number 23 (2007)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Joel Schumacher

Writer (WGA):

Fernley Phillips (written by)

Release Date:

23 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The truth will find you.

Plot:

Walter Sparrow becomes obsessed with a novel that he believes was written about him. As his obsession increases, more and more similarities seem to arise.

Plot Keywords:

Bookstore | Author | Obsession | Detective | Book

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Jim Carrey	...	Walter Sparrow / Fingerling
Virginia Madsen	...	Agatha Sparrow / Fabrizia
Logan Lerman	...	Robin Sparrow
Danny Huston	...	Isaac French / Dr. Miles Phoenix
Lynn Collins	...	Suicide Blonde / Mrs. Dobkins / Young Fingerling's Mother
Rhona Mitra	...	Laura Tollins
Michelle Arthur	...	Sybil
Mark Pellegrino	...	Kyle Flinch
Paul Butcher	...	Young Fingerling / Young Walter
David Stifel	...	Hotel Clerk
Corey Stoll	...	Sergeant Burns
Ed Lauter	...	Father Sebastian
Troy Kotsur	...	Barnaby
Walter Soo Hoo	...	Chinese Restaurant Owner
Patricia Belcher	...	Dr. Alice Mortimer

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Ireland:15A | UK:15 | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:PG (edited version) | Germany:16 | Brazil:14 | Netherlands:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Argentina:13 | Spain:13 | Australia:MA | Malaysia:18PL | Portugal:M/16 | Czech Republic:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Norway:15 | Denmark:15 | Sweden:15 | South Africa:16 | France:U (with warning) | Hong Kong:IIB | Philippines:R-13 | USA:R (certificate #43185) | Japan:R-15 | New Zealand:R16

Filming Locations:

Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The DVD length is 1:41:08. 14+1+8=23.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the intro sequence, the movie claims that the witches' Sabbat is on the 23rd of June. This is not true; there is a witches' Sabbat around that time, Midsummer, which celebrates masculine power and fertility at its peak on the longest day. Due to variations in the earth's cycle, this can vary from the 19-23rd of June. However, it's usually celebrated regardless on the 21st, not the 23rd. And it's not the most significant event in the pagan calender; it's not THE Sabbat, it's just one of eight.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Walter Sparrow: A week ago, the only thing I thought was out of the ordinary was that it was my birthday.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Worst of 2007" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Blue Christmas

Just because you're paranoid....

9/11 2001, 9+11+2+1= 23, JFK was killed on November 22, 1963 2+2=4 and 1+9+6+3=19 and 19+4= 23, Caesar was stabbed 23 times, and so on so forth.

Whether you think it's a coincidence or not it's still pretty cool and Joel Schumacher's the Number 23 wouldn't have been half as interesting without his knowledge.

The film follows Walter (Jim Carey) as his life starts to be consumed paranoia as he claims the number 23 is haunting him. He comes to this conclusion whilst reading a book, the Number 23 which he draws parallels with the main character's upbringing and his own childhood. The only problem being, said main character a detective Fingerling kills his lovely girlfriend. As everything in the book already mirrors Walters past, why shouldn't it mirror his future also? Worried that he'll kill his wife, Walter attempts to track down the author before it's too late.

Though it's easy to throw insults at Schumacher (Batman and Robin anyone?) he is good at thrillers being at the helm of Falling Down and Phone Booth. Here he delivers again. True, the ending may be a little drawn out and may not be to everyone's taste, however Carey's performance is once again proof that the rubber faced actor can indeed, well…act. It's just a shame that with every serious performance by Carey, critics scrutinise his performance because it isn't comedy. Have they seen the Truman Show, Eternal Sunshine….people? Carey can act. And Schumacher can direct, the only problem here is the plot isn't that strong, with the twist maybe feeling a little anticlimactic. Still it's an enjoyable film and may have you looking for the number 23 yourself when you leave the cinema.