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Matthew Perry, Kevin Pollak, Helen Shaver, Mary Steenburgen, William B. Davis ... see more see more... , Bob Gunton , Harris Goldberg , Lynn Collins , Monique Ganderton , Ben Ayres

A man who is suddenly without feelings is motivated by a love he isn't quite sure is there in this offbeat independent comedy. Hudson (Matthew Perry) is a screenwriter who has enjoyed a modest success... read more read more... in Hollywood, but one day he suddenly and inexplicably sinks into a strange funk -- he feels strangely removed from the world around him, as if reality has slipped away and he can't physically or emotionally feel his surroundings. Hudson's writing partner Tom (Kevin Pollock) is more than a bit disturbed by the sudden change in Hudson's demeanor, and on his advice he begins seeing the first of several psychiatrists, most of whom prescribe a dizzying variety of drugs, except for Dr. Blaine (Mary Steenburgen), who is turned on by Hudson's condition and ends up having an affair with him. As Hudson seems to be running out of ways to reconnect with himself, he meets Sarah (Lynn Collins), a beautiful woman who is quite taken with him and decides to introduce him to as many positive and compelling experiences as possible. The first feature-length directorial project for screenwriter Harris Goldberg, Numb received its North American premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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68% want to see it

3,174 ratings

R, 1 hr. 33 min.

Directed by: Harris Goldberg

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DVD Release Date: May 13, 2008

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Flixster Reviews (536)

  • FrizzDrop
    November 18, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    After watching this you do in fact become numb, which I'm not sure is the intended point or an after effect from watching Matthew Perry try to stumble through a decent performance.
  • LWOODS04
    March 9, 2010
    LWOODS04
    Matthew Perry, Lynn Collins, Kevin Pollak, Mary Steenburgen, William B. Davis

    DIRECTED BY: Harris Boldberg

    Screenwriter Hudson Milbank suffers from acute depersonalization disorder: he is so alienated from his own life that he makes the chronically depressed look perky. Hud... read moreson lives alone, watches The Golf Channel all day, can't hang on to a relationship, shoplifts in order to get his adrenalin up off the floor, fears that thinking about his dad's death will bring it to pass, loathes his mother, and in general, is as nutty as a peanut farm. Obsessed with the underlying sadness that infuses his wretched existence, Hudson is a man in hell, but he thinks that his long catalog of dismally unsatisfying and mutually self-destructive relationships is over when Sarah stumbles into his life. He knows she can save him. She knows he has to save himself. Together they just may save each other.

    Here's another one of those odd little films that I love. But it is one of those films that are not going to be for everyone. But these are the films I most enjoy. Why? Because there not your normal Hollywood movie. It's about real life. Matthew Perry is flawless in this movie. He really becomes this character and makes him so believable, which is important considering it is autobiographical of the director/writer. The way this movie is made there are times when the movie feels slow, but in true sight it is just trying to make you one with the character. See and feel things the way he does. Liked Lynn Collins in this a lot. Thought her character was really sweet and quirky. Just what the film needed to bring more relief to the very serious illness this movie's main character is surrounded by.Mary Steenburgen was great in this film as well, and really had me laughing with the restaurant scene. The movie is sad and at the same time inspiring. He never gives up hope on finding a way out of his own personal hell. I find this movie could be relatable for a lot of people. I hope more will see it. Matthew Perry really shows he can be a serious actor after doing the friends series. Also see him in "Birds Of America" if you haven't. He was really great in it as well.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 16, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Weird, but very sweet and funny.
  • Redlats
    June 5, 2009
    Redlats
    Does depersonalization disorder really exist? Hudson (Matthew Perry) is so depressed that psychoanalysis, drugs or even a girlfriend doesn't help. I have no idea if there is any realism to this disorder, but it is quite original as a movie.
  • SC007
    May 30, 2009
    SC007
    This film really took me by surprise. It kind of reminded me of Garden State. Matthew Perry, in my opinion, gives one of his best performances so far, in this film. Perry and Lynn Collins have great on screen chemistry. Collins, I thought was much better here than in Wolverine. G... read morereat supporting work from Kevin Pollak and Mary Steenburgen.
  • matseb2611
    April 7, 2009
    matseb2611
    I missed the first 20 minutes or so, but the starting parts were a bit boring anyway. It got pretty emotional and interesting closer to the end. This movie is about a man who has trouble communicating with people and overall is quite melancholic and doesn't believe in himself.
    ... read moreI thought Matthew Perry did a very good job portraying that kind of character. Definitely a movie to see at least once.
  • ileo
    June 16, 2008
    ileo
    Great movie! Hilarious. Interesting story plot. Matthew Perry's fantastic in this one. This is definitely beyond any sort of roles he has taken on. A must-see! Great music.
  • xanderearl
    February 8, 2010
    xanderearl
    An interesting depiction of someone suffering. I think it could have been "better" had Hudson not officially been diagnosed with the disorder. I say this because almost everyone can relate to feeling out of place, but the parts of the movie that focused on dealing with specific... read moreally depersonalization disorder become something we can't identify with.
  • maxpowerhjays
    August 21, 2009
    maxpowerhjays
    a watchable non comedy movie with matthew perry i wouldnt have thought it but he is pretty good in this role. worth the watch on cable or something like that for sure.
  • nkkigrrl28
    July 13, 2009
    nkkigrrl28
    Like watching paint dry. Only with knives stabbed into your eyes and chest, and acid poured in the resulting wounds. Slowly. Or like watching a very haggard, chunky, and miserable Matthew Perry sleepwalk through a film and gain large puffy bags under his eyes as the movie goes al... read moreong. Bleahhhhh!

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Critic Reviews

Holly Grigg-Spall
July 8, 2008
Holly Grigg-Spall, Film4

Numb doesn't work...It's glib, flip, and cheesy as hell. Full Review

Christopher Null
June 18, 2008
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

I'd be lying if I said I felt any less numb than Hudson by the end of the movie. Full Review

David Nusair
May 13, 2008
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

...stands out as a refreshingly innovative spin on a contemporary romantic comedy... Full Review

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Numb Trivia

  • In The Departed(2006), when Billy (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Madolyn (Vera Farmiga) are having sex, what song is playing?  Answer »
  • just got the question what film did billy bob thornton and bruce willis star in together?the answer given was bandits, this is wrong why?  Answer »
  • In the latest Harry Potter film, Daniel Radcliffe required a stunt double in the kissing scene with Cho Chang as he had visited the dentist that day and his mouth was numb. True or False?  Answer »
  • Which movie drops us into the house of a dysfunctional teenager, who lives with his brother and grandma (and soon his uncle), and who has pretty sweet numb chuck skills?  Answer »
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