The James Logan Courier

By Fermin Sierra, Courier Staff Writer

The Number 23, Jim Carrey’s new “psychological thriller” was released last week to overwhelmingly bad reviews as critics around the country announced the fall of Mr. Carrey’s career. While those rumors are completely unfounded and untrue, it is obvious upon first viewing of The Number 23 that viewers are watching a movie, and a star who are both going to great lengths to create and the two things that make “psychological thrillers” entertaining: mood and a controllable plot.


Carrey plays a dogcatcher, who by twist of fate, stumbles upon a book that seems to mirror his life and his connection to the ever-present “23”. Carrey also plays Detective Fingerling, the main character in the novel he becomes increasingly obsessed with. The mysteries in this movie soon become less and less of a focus as the viewer is dared, or perhaps just tempted to be disturbed enough with the movie to look away. Sadly, The Number 23 accomplishes none of its high reaching goals.

The movie shouldn’t be faulted for trying to be a better, more disturbing thriller. It should be faulted however for never reaching those goals and becoming disinteresting and annoying in the process. No, Jim Carrey’s career is not in danger, but he should choose more wisely in his future forays into drama.

The Line: EHH… Maybe Not Now