A new respect for Jim Carrey

Rating: 7/10 (23 February 2007)

I have never been a fan of Jim Carrey's roles until this evening. His performance in the film is excellent, but the movie was not what the previews/trailers portray. If you plan to see this movie with an interest in numerology, symbolism, esoteric signs, or the occult, you will be disappointed. If you like the movie "Secret Window," then you basically have seen "The Number 23." If your primary interest is to see a movie about psychosis or amnesia, then this is the movie for you.
I gave the movie a 7/10 rating because I decided to have an open mind about the acting and the real plot (not the trailer version). Carrey's performance is excellent, and a refreshing change from past roles. Had I not seen the trailer and ignored the pre-release hype, I probably would have been more intrigued.
Many viewers have written that the first half of the movie is extremely dull. I disagree; I think it just wasn't what they expected. Having that knowledge prior to seeing the film, I paid close attention to the first half of the movie. There are many "clues" to alert the viewer what is to come. Pay close attention to Ned the dog. Also, if you have seen "Mulholland Drive" you will understand my advice, even though "Mulholland" was about lucid dreaming. Ned is a type of flashback, not a dream.