Numb (2007)

	Directed by: Harris Goldberg	COUNTRY Canada/USA GENRE Comedy/Drama NORWEGIAN TITLE Numb RUNNING TIME 93 minutes
	Produced by: Kirk Shaw
	Written by: Harris Goldberg

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Hudson	Matthew Perry	½
Sarah	Lynn Collins	½
Tom	Kevin Pollak
Dr. Townsend	Bob Gunton	½
Audrey	Helen Shaver	½
Peter	William B. Davis	½
Dr. Cheryl Blaine	Mary Steenburgen
Stan	Benjamin Ratner

Review

Matthew Perry burst onto the scene as one of the best line-deliverers and performers of physical comedy in the business in Friends, one of the most successful sitcoms in the history of American television. In its early seasons, Perry gave top-notch performances on a weekly basis, before he decided to change his persona into a more sensitive type, which he couldn't quite pull off. His subsequent work in The Whole Nine/Ten Yards franchise did little to suggest that Perry's career would be of much interest post-Friends.

The Canadian comedian has since then battled substance abuse and mental illness, an added ballast that arguably gives his performance in the quirky little film Numb a solid and authentic resonance. Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Harris Goldberg, Numb may seem like a somewhat shallow goofball comedy at first, but once it reveals its desperate, downbeat nature, we realize that it is not a piece of entertainment centered around mental illness; it is a deeply heartfelt psychological study aiming to give the viewer insight – with the prospect of entertaining as a possible bonus. Naturally, this is a basis that leaves Numb destined for a limited release and marketing, but it doesn't take away any of its quality.

Perry's performance here is complete. He understands the character beyond what can be reasonably expected. He lives Hudson's life with a remarkable sense of ache and frustration, while Goldberg delivers small kicks at most every health institution imaginable. The film is neither reformative nor didactic – in fact, Goldberg doesn't seem to have any answers at all. His mission is to convey an existence – a mode, if you like. And, if possible, turn some of the overwhelming negativity in Hudson's life into a glimpse of hope. With Perry's dedicated help, he does just that.