The Number 23 really isn't about the number 23

Rating: 3/10 (25 February 2007)

I saw this film on the 24th, which might probably disappoint the director, who's probably wishing that all of the people who see this movie walk out obsessed with the number 23. When I saw the trailer, I had a feeling this was one of those movies that could turn out to be really good or really bad. The main plot reminded me of the premise of the movie PI. However, you might find out at the end of the movie, that it would probably be more interesting to go to the library and read some books by Daniel C Dennet (Which I had done that day), or go to the internet and search for "cool and interesting facts" on philosophy, fate and free will; rather than watch this movie.
This movie is basically about a man, Walter Sparrow, who works as a dog catcher. On his birthday, his wife decides to give him a book by the name of "The number 23". In the book, a man becomes obsessed with the number and gradually through reading it, so does Walter.
The premise seems too obvious and not convincing. I think the problem is that you can't really get yourself inside the character and therefore, really buy it. To me, the story in the book fails to give a true fact, a true formula... something that will lead YOU (not the main character in the movie. YOU) to say "Oh my God... wait a minute! Can this be?? Yes, you're right! The number 23 really has something that is Universal!". Since it fails to do that with the audience (Unless you're unconsciously willing to believe anything you're told with very little facts), we cannot really buy it, therefore when we see Walter going obsessed with the number 23, it's like we're looking at a poor guy who's either insane or bored, or both. And indeed, he behaves that way. Of course, number 23 really works for him because it's in his birthday, his social security number, his driver's license, etc. So it seems to have something got to do with him.
There is a disparity, however. For a moment, the movie feels like it cannot decide between telling the story of a man who's trying to find the truth about the number 23; and telling the story of a man who becomes obsessed with a book that tells a story of a man very similar to him and thus he wants to find the author because now it turns out the author is a killer and oh my God, the killer might still be out there and we have to catch him soon before he kills more people and...... are you getting the idea by now?. The movie seems to lack a focal point. I liked PI better because the whole story was basically about a man obsessed with the number PI. Everything else comes out as a result of that. In the number 23, it seems like the director wants to do a lot of things at once. I guess if it was exclusively about the number 23, about how mathematicians have been looking for an answer throughout history, about how satanic sects have employed the number and used its power in secret, about how all these myths have remained in the shadows and now here comes this man, this ordinary everyday man and reveals the mystery, opening a new Pandora's Box, but then there's the disparity on whether he's just insane and he's taken to a medical center.... I guess that would have been more interesting. I admit I'm basically telling you how I wish the movie was made, which is a very personal thing; but the details don't matter. What I'm saying is that this movie fails to deliver its premise: This movie isn't about the number 23. This movie is about a man who wants to find a murderer. And it's not the best movie at doing that, as well.