Have you ever discovered a series of coincidences in your life that leaves you with an eerie feeling that there is something greater at work?

That is exactly what happens to Walter Sparrow (Jim Carrey). Walter is an average guy who works in emergency animal control until one day when he discovers a book that strangely mirrors his own life.

The book causes Sparrow to become obsessed with the bizarre occurrences of the number 23 that seem to carry some sort of recurring importance in his life as well as in a number of significant historical events.

Sparrow struggles to convince his wife Agatha (Virginia Madsen) that he is not delusional, while at the same time trying to keep his sanity intact.

The success of the plot depends on the viewer’s willingness to believe the extremely coincidental occurrences of the number 23.

For the most part, though, the instances of the number 23 are fairly believable with a few minor exceptions.

It is easy to lose yourself in the film and get caught up in the paranoia of its characters.

Whenever a film allows you to really buy into its story, it is a sign of good filmmaking. Another aspect of the film that makes it entertaining is the unique way in which it is told. As Sparrow narrates the book, he also acts out its plot in his mind using people from his life. This further adds to the mystery of the movie, making it much more intense.

Jim Carrey is an extremely underrated dramatic actor. There is no doubt that his true talent lies in the realm of comedy, but there are some shining examples of serious roles in his acting career.

His roles in “The Majestic,” “The Truman Show” and “The Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind” showcase Carrey’s well-rounded acting ability. “The Number 23” can be added to the list as Carrey once again delivers a powerfully emotional and stirring performance as the paranoia-stricken Sparrow. Overall, the acting in the movie is exceptional.

While the acting and the plot are very good, the true genius of the film lies in its subtle intricacies. The cinematography is amazing. Audiences are bombarded with scene after scene of amazing special effects that alter the look of the scene itself.

The lighting in some scenes is amazingly meticulous in its setup, and the filmmakers experiment quite a bit with shadow and brightness.

Even the scenes that aren’t psychedelically altered show an extreme amount of thought and planning in the arranging of the physical elements and actors on the set. This is one of the more visually stimulating films of the year.

“The Number 23” is a very well put together film that does not disappoint.

It is filled with genuine suspense and some intriguing twists throughout. This is definitely a film worth a trip to the theater.