(EVROPA.) - See all my reviews This review is from: _The Number 23_ starring Jim Carrey as dog catcher Walter Sparrow is an extremely bizarre movie featuring a mysterious murder and a numerological obsession with the number 23. The movie offers a perplexing examination of delusion and madness, showing the power of obsession on the human mind.
Numerology and the obsession with the magical power of numbers is an ancient discipline represented by such distinguished ancient thinkers as Pythagoras; however, as this movie shows such a discipline can often lead to unhealthy obsession. Many great thinkers have examined the phenomenon of synchronicity, including such founders of psychoanalysis as Freud and Jung; however, as is often noted there is a fine line between genius and madness. In particular, the alleged recurrence of the number 23 has played a role in the thought of such individuals as William S.
Burroughs and Robert Anton Wilson (RAW). Indeed RAW devotes much of his otherwise pointless _Illuminatus!_ trilogy to an explication of the repeated occurrence of this mysterious number, 23.
(This film must obviously have been influenced by the thinking of RAW and others, as we see reference made to the maverick psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich, theorist of orgone energy, and a noted obsession of RAW.) It is also well known though that numerological delusions frequently play a part in the ideation of schizophrenics and other disturbed individuals. Such a tendency to observe patterns where none are apparently present has been noted as a primary motivating factor behind both the delusions of the mentally disturbed and highly creative individuals.
This movie begins with Jim Carrey as dog catcher. He is having an otherwise ordinary day (February 2 (2-3) - his birthday) when he encounters a dog named "NED" who bites him in the process of trying to catch him. This synchronous event causes him to be late for a meeting with his wife, giving her ample time to peruse a book at a used bookstore called _The Number 23_.
As it turns out, Carrey ends up purchasing this book, which begins his bizarre obsession with the number 23. As Carrey begins reading the book, he notices eerie resemblances to his own life, including similarities to his own family (which holds a dark secret). Ultimately, Carrey discovers that he must resolve a murder which can only be solved by unlocking the key in the book.
However, this murder holds a dark secret linked forever to Carrey himself and the number 23. As the story continues, Carrey descends deeper and deeper into madness, until eventually he must make a profound choice which will alter his life forever. To understand the rest of the story you must watch the movie.
Unfortunately, the movie itself tends to drag in parts, and the ending is not very well done. I found myself imagining countless alternative endings, but was ultimately disappointed by what actually occurs. The movie does offer a good look into the mind of a madman, but it ultimately fails to be convincing in certain respects.
At the end, I felt that several loose ends were not wrapped up, and remained largely confused about certain details. While the basic idea of this movie is interesting, it ultimately fails to deliver and becomes boring. Thus, I cannot say that I fully recommend it, despite the fact that the idea behind it is an interesting one.
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