The Number 23

Joel Schumacher is responsible for some of the fluffiest and most embarrassing films ever made—everything from Batman and Robin to Phone Booth. He’s a strange choice, therefore, for Jim Carrey’s ill-advised bid for leading man-dom. Carrey plays Will Sparrow, a seemingly harmless dog catcher who descends into paranoia when he’s given a novel about a detective’s obsession with the obnoxious pervasiveness of the number 23 (each parent passes on 23 chromosomes, the earth’s axis is at a 23-degree angle, etc.). Sparrow sees alarming connections between himself and the fictional detective, and soon begins dreaming of killing his wife (Sideways’ Virginia Madsen). If this sounds like an intriguing M. Night Shyamalan–style mind twister, it’s not. The Number 23’s absurd premise and amateurish script elicit undesired yucks rather than thrills. By the time this overacted and over-stylized monstrosity has hit the 20-minute mark, the only thing to do is place bets on the next hilariously contrived plot twist. A laughable affront to the intelligence, the film fails to tingle the spine or jar the nerves. SKIP IT

The Number 23 is now playing at the Rainbow Market Square (80 Front St. E.), Queensway (1025 The Queensway), Varsity (55 Bloor St. W.) and others.