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The Number 23 By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- As far as satisfying psychological thrillers go, "The Number 23" (New Line) doesn't add up. The dreary tale centers on dogcatcher Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey), who finds himself in a used bookshop with his wife, Agatha (Virginia Madsen), who is drawn to a curious novel with a tattered crimson cover. She buys it for her husband. Walter is increasingly consumed by its murder-mystery plot and hard-boiled detective protagonist, Fingerling (also played by Carrey), with elements of that story eerily mirroring his own life. This escalates to paranoia and, eventually, madness, as he, like his fictional counterpart, becomes obsessed with the "23 enigma," the theory that the number 23 holds a numerological significance in nature and world events. (For example, each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to their child's DNA; it takes 23 seconds for blood to circulate throughout the human body; and the Titanic sank on April 15, 1912: 4 (for the month) plus 1 plus 5 plus 1 plus 9 plus 1 plus 2 equals 23). The movie closes with a quote from the Book of Numbers (Chapter 32, Verse 23, of course): "Make no mistake about it; you will be punished for your sin," which sums up the script's underdeveloped theme of fate. Despite an intriguing premise, director Joel Schumacher's neonoir tale is all style and little suspense, with a muddled plot and a contrived twist payoff. And 23 is also the number of letters in this advice to the wise: Take a pass on this vapid dud. The film contains recurring violence and disturbing bloody images, including several suicides, and sexual encounters, some involving kinky behavior, as well as rough and crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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