Customer Reviews

Numb [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In the director's commentary, Harris Goldberg says that people have responded to this movie for three reasons: 1)The Love Story. 2)The Actors' performances and/or 3)For the depiction of Depersonalization. There are a core group of people who identify with the story and are glad to see depersonalization depicted on film. As Goldberg states, it tends to help people to see this movie and realize, "Oh, I'm not the only one."

Matthew Perry performs admirably as Hudson Milbank. Hudson still knows what is real and what is not real although the whole shebang doesn't FEEL real to him anymore. He can live "as if" he is fine and in many cases people may not realize there is anything wrong with him. If anything appears odd about him it is that he seems overly anxious, overly spacey, and that he tends to tell store clerks that life feels unreal. He seems intent on figuring out what is going on with him and to find someone who knows what he is talking about. Anybody who has experienced depersonalization knows what this is like. I think Matthew Perry, as well as writer/director Harris Goldberg, were correct in playing less is more for most of this. There are also specific things in this portrayal which were particular and familiar, such as Hudson counting the number of days he'd lived and how many he was likely yet to live.

This is the first movie I recall seeing where the main character has depersonalization disorder. (this is amazing considering how many other conditions have been explored on film through the years.) I wonder if the world and others are catching up with the depersonalization experience and/or it is becoming more common and/or understood. Or perhaps it is simply that more people are now using the diagnostic name. Writers have written about unreality and the dream-like experience of life for ages, as have meditators and mystics...(see also all the movies about dreams, dream-like realities, life-being-like-a-dream) So is depersonalization a disorder, or a major factor of being human?

I think people who want a cute Matthew Perry movie that is funny and sweet may not get entirely what they expect. "Numb" could have been marketed more like another truthful and funny (as in the humor that comes from pain and from daily and mundane life as well) movie -- The Savages.

In sound-bites Numb sounds like a movie about a man trying to get well in order to "win the girl" in a kind of mad dash through psychiatry-- Well, it is more complicated than that, and for one thing it seems more about a man who is trying to get well so he can feel alive and experience his life. Being in love is a big part of that, but you can't feel anything when you are depersonalized, even when it is right in front of you.

Although you may not think it would be, this is a hopeful film.
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** A couple asides: there are two other books about dissociation in addition to "Feeling Unreal" -- called "The Myth of Sanity" and "The Stranger in the Mirror" There may be more, but these are others I've found.

**To clarify something other reviewers mentioned, in the movie Hudson states he had a predisposition to depersonalization before he smoked marijuana, although marijuana, as well as some of the medications and antipsychotics he is prescribed later in the movie don't seem to help and/or exacerbate his sense of unreality.

**The interactions between Hudson and his parents are extraordinary. Well-written, spot on.

First of all, this isn't really a romantic comedy.

You might be thinking that a movie starring Matthew Perry with a personality disorder would be a funny ha-ha movie in the vein of "Friends", but you need to know that this movie is more a dramedy, with a darker type of humor.

Perry's character Hudson Milbank suffers from Depersonalization Disorder (DPD), which is a real dissociative disorder in which affected people feel disconnected from their bodies, and have difficulty relating to reality.

Brought on by overenthusiastic smoking of the funny cigarettes, Milbank's life goes into a downward spiral, and his doctor recommends psychiatric treatment. He meets a girl named Sara (Lynn Collins) who seems drawn to guys with problems, and she becomes a beacon in his disassociated life. The thing is, can he keep her?

The funniest moments occur during the sessions with the Psychiatrists, each with a unique method for curing his problem. In particular, look for Mary Steenburgen, in a small, but entertaining turn as Dr. Blaine.


Short Attention Span Summary (SASS)

1. Matthew Perry thinks he's going crazy
2. Maybe he is


Rated: 3.5 stars



Amanda Richards, April 20, 2008

There are movies that, in time, garner a cult following, for reasons most people can't fathom, or don't care too. This is likely to happen with Harris Goldberg's "Numb." The scant reviews emerging from the Tribeca Film Festival thus far have pointed out that the script is pretty much autobiographical, based on Harris Goldberg's own experience with something called Depersonalization, triggered by pot. Sounds like a pretty extreme and rare reaction to weed, and a pretty weak premise on which to base an entire movie, right? No. Just the opposite. Depersonalization Disorder is something quite real, and a condition that, incredibly, affects more people than either schizophrenia or bi-polar disorders. Yet few people, even relatively few health professionals have ever heard of it. It can be triggered by various forms of stress or trauma, as well as things like LSD and marijuana. The confusion, frustration and inability to deal with "normal" life that often marks DPD is portrayed beautifully by Matthew Perry, whose eyes, at times reveal the void left behind by a soul that has simply disappeared. Lack of affect, "numbness" is just one of many symptoms of depersonalization, but it is likely the one most movie viewers can relate to, and perhaps, the simplest to portray. In this sense, Harris Goldberg has wisely avoided extensive diving into the fearfully negative and hopeless waters of DPD. Instead, he gives us important glimpses into the overall angst of the condition as well as the sufferer's desperate efforts to resume a "normal" life. And he manages to do this within a comedic context. DPD is NOT depression, you see, nor is it humorless. People with the condition are often highly intelligent, and more often than not, they can exhibit extreme insight and a biting wit, simply because their ego, or lack thereof, never stands in the way.
Ultimately, this film marks the very first mention of Depersonalization Disorder on the big screen. It is the first depiction of someone who has it. On top of it, Goldberg has generously shown Perry reading the only authoritative book on the condition "Feeling Unreal" right in the middle of the film. Creating this film, which is funny and highly entertaining by any standard, marks a singular act of courage on the part of the writer/director. According to Hollywood: Everyone knows that pot is always harmless, right? Wrong. According to the medical profession: Depersonalization is just a symptom of some other condition, right. Wrong again. Goldberg has, if nothing else, boldly stated these truths by tickling the funny bone rather than the temporal lobe. Literally millions of people already know these truths, and therein lies the film's audience, for a long long time.

Synopsis: The '08 release `Numb' stars Matthew Perry in the role of Hudson Milbank a anxiety ridden loner suffering from depersonalization disorder. Despite his own efforts to sabotage every opportunity to have a meaningful relationship he nevertheless finds himself dating Sarah, a beautiful, successful and obviously love struck young woman who pursues him in spite of all his psychological shortcomings. Will Hudson continue to be his own worst enemy and find himself alone once again or will he finally pull himself together and find the happiness that has eluded him all his life?

Critique: This is a rather low budget film you've probably never heard of. You probably wouldn't consider renting this one either except for the fact that is stars the talented Matthew Perry. At least that's what attracted me to this film. I have to say I was rather pleasantly surprised and would like to say, "Thanks Matthew". `Numb' is definitely a dark comedy with a kick. It's kind of like watching a Woody Allen film without the New York accent and the Jewish affiliation. If you're familiar with Woody's body of work you know exactly what I'm talking about. You might say it's "Angst for Anglos" (is that politically incorrect?).

If you're a Matthew Perry fan you're sure to enjoy it and fan or not you'll definitely fall in love with Lynn Collins in the role of Sarah.

This is Matthew Perry's best movie. It shows him being a mental case that painfully goes through life looking for cures to his illness. Along the way he meets a few girls and always has his wingman but his constant struggle with his own reality is what compells this movie into greatness. It's a rare view for the movie junkie to see. It kind of does for Matthew Perry what "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" did for Jim Carrey. As much as I liked the Carrey movie, at times it was very confusing. This flick however stays with you the whole way , with laughs and new discoveries along the way. A must see for the true critic.

I laughed hysterically in some parts. Mostly laughing at myself. I am a Person With CFS/ME (PWC not DPD!) and totally relate to Matthew Perry's character in the movie. Although CFS/ME is very different and not what this guy in the movie has, I relate to that he seems intent on figuring out what is going on with him, and to find some one who knows what he is talking about (so funny in the movie), people running away from him and his problem, including his family's negative reaction to him and his problem (again, some hysterically funny parts). Doctor's not knowing his condition. His feeling of being used by the medical profession (more sarcastic humor). His experience of ending up with unsuitable girlfriends who try help him (I've got tears from laughter by now). Even his compulsive shoplifting (which I doubt is part and parcel of DPD and certainly not part of CFS). I relate even to his business success despite his problem, and even his business partner, who is nice enough, but there's no real communication, no real connection to nourish his soul in the one "normal" relationship he has. He's alone with his problem. There are many things that are different between CFS and this guy's disorder, but his experience is part of my experience in this society and my family with an unpopular, often derided, health problem, that is not properly understood. The movie gives important glimpses into the overall angst of the condition as well as the sufferer's desperate efforts to resume a "normal" life. Yet the movie is absolutely comical and a pleasant watch! Well, and a tear jerker for me (because it's a mirror of my life!).

NUMB

I have been a fan of Matthew Perry since I had first seen the show Friends years ago, I have always been a fan of that Chandler/David Spade type A-Hole humor. So I have followed him since the show has ended, I mean come on he did a movie with the great Bruce Campbell. I have bought almost all the films he has been in, and I will eventually buy them all. This is one of his newer films and I have to say hat it could be one of his best performances ever, and very dramatic role that some may not have expected of him.

Hudson Milbank [Perry] has Depersonalization Disorder and he really believes that he is going crazy, if fact things don't feel or seem real to him. So he sets out on a course to find out how he can fix this problem that he believes was caused by smoking weed. In the midst of going to psychiatrist after psychiatrist he meets a girl that can actually make him feel real. Of course all his doctors are as crazy as him, in fact one is infatuated with him, and she is all over him. The man has to take a long personal journey that may or may not fix him, in fact that is what I like most about this film. By the end of it he is getting better but he is not quite fixed, I love when films end like that. Don't get me wrong this is not a fully drama type film, there is a lot of dark humor through out the film.

Matthew Perry who also served as an Executive Producer did a great job with his role, he plays the role very held back and dry and that is just what the character needed. He played the role exactly like the director wanted from what I gather from special features, he did a great job. Kevin Pollak as usual does a great job as Perry's best friend and writing partner, he delivers a wonderful performance. Lynn Collins does a great job as the girl Perry's character is in love with, she is just as crazy as Hudson. But I have to say that my favorite from the supporting roles was Mary Steenburgen as the crazy doctor that he goes to see is great. She played the role so well that I actually believed her in that role, she flipped so quick it was great.

Writer/director Harris Goldberg did an excellent job that from listening to the commentary he wrote the entire thing based off his life. He had this disorder and the same problems with his new found girl and doctors, and you can tell he put his heart into this. He is the guy that wrote both Deuce Bigalow films and With Out a Paddle so I can tell that this was his baby as far as all his films go. I think that this is a really good movie that warrants a purchase in my mind, everybody involved did a great job.

If you are wanting to see a really good some what weird but some what funny movie this is the one for you. This is a great dramatic turn for Perry and I hope that he continues to switch between dramatic and comedy roles like this.

Most people who view this movie will not be able to actually enjoy the movie for what is worth. I myself have "depersonalization/derealization" and the movie is pretty much my life in a nutshell. Very humorous, with a love story involved. I am just glad the director who himself suffers from this dissociative disorder, tries to spread the world about how we are here in the world without any medicine to help subside the problems and anxiety that comes from feeling like Matthew Perry does in the movie.

I picked this up b/c it had Matthew Perry on the cover. I have always been a fan of his acting. I loved him on Friends and was curious what he could bring to another character. At times I felt almost as though I was his character..meaning..he really seemed to bring the character to life in a way that you almost felt like you were a part of it and what he was going through. His portrayal of Hudson Milbank was flawless. There were some funny scenes...I am glad I saw it and look forward to more great movies from this very talented actor.

Doubtless millions of dollars were flushed down the you know what to bring this movielike product to market. There is not an identifyingly plausible real character, relationship or scenario in the entire movie. I am as capable of accepting a suspension of strict realism for the sake of a good story or deeper underlying premise as anyone, but that does not apply here. As with most contemporary movies, the concept of the screenplay as a living organism that should have some kind of coherence in all its myriad parts is apparently a foreign concept. Whatever psychological condition the Matthew Perry character has which causes him to experience life in some markedly different way from anybody else--i.e. the key to the entire movie--is not conveyed at all. Nothing tangentially related to him--how he earns enough money that it is seemingly no object to him, why various women characters find him sexually desirable--make any sense within the context of the movie. Lynn Collins is cute and is the kind of girl one might dream of encountering at the pool table in the neighborhood dive bar in Rochester, but she certainly has no future as a movie star. The Mary Steenbergen character is completely ridiculous, and all of the minor characters are wholly flat, and the scenes involving them clunky and lifeless, the dialogue banal. It's atrocious, and I'm only bothering to post a review because I need practice at identifying with some clarity to myself why things are inferior, and also to try to bring the overall rating of the film down.