THE POWER OF `23' MADSEN PLAYS THE NUMBERS GAME.Byline: - Glenn Whipp Virginia Madsen never knew about the pervasiveness of the number 23 until she signed on to do the psychological thriller Psychological thriller is a specific sub-genre of the wide-ranging thriller genre. However, this genre often incorporates elements from the mystery genre in addition to the typical traits of the thriller genre. ``The Number 23.'' Then, suddenly, 23 was everywhere. Madsen plays the diabolically evil wife of a man (Jim Carrey “James Carrey” redirects here. For the murder conspirator, see James Carey. James Eugene Carrey (born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian actor and comedian. ) who becomes obsessed ob·sess v. ob·sessed, ob·sess·ing, ob·sess·es v.tr. To preoccupy the mind of excessively. v.intr. with the number when he comes across a mysterious book that seems to be based on his life. The book ends with a murder (on the 23rd?) and Carrey's character tries to stop it -- or get the ball rolling. We're not sure. The movie plays off of what's known as the 23 Enigma, a belief that everything in life can be directly related to the number. Carrey has been fixated fix·ate v. fix·at·ed, fix·at·ing, fix·ates v.tr. 1. To make fixed, stable, or stationary. 2. To focus one's eyes or attention on: fixate a faint object. on 23 for years -- each parent passes on 23 chromosomes, the Earth's axis tilts at a 23-degree angle, Psalm 23! -- and took great delight in spooking Madsen whenever the number turned up. Even Madsen's 12-year-old son got into the spirit. ``We counted out all this change he was saving in a jar and it was $23,'' Madsen says. ``He was running around the house, shaking the jar, saying, `23! 23! 23!' '' Not a superstitious soul, Madsen started an experiment. She called it the Law of Cupcakes. ``I would concentrate on cupcakes, and suddenly they started appearing everywhere in my life,'' she says. ``Like my mother says, `God has a great sense of humor Noun 1. sense of humor - the trait of appreciating (and being able to express) the humorous; "she didn't appreciate my humor"; "you can't survive in the army without a sense of humor" sense of humour, humor, humour .' '' Madsen is less lighthearted about her work in ``The Number 23.'' She hasn't seen the movie and isn't really sure if she wants to watch it. ``This woman is hateful and uses sexuality as a weapon. She really hates men. She's only with her husband to be sexually satisfied. When she's done with him, she throws him out. It was hard to figure out how to play that woman. I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. if I pulled it off. ``The only other time I've been this uncomfortable in a role was when I made `The Hot Spot,' '' Madsen adds, pausing and then blurting out, ``I was only 23! God, that would be too weird. No, wait, I was 24 when I made that. Whew whew interj. Used to express strong emotion, such as relief or amazement. whew interj an exclamation of relief, surprise, disbelief, or weariness ! I tell you, that number just keeps coming up.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Virginia Madsen and Jim Carrey in ``The Number 23,'' opening Feb. 23. |
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