RSS 2.0 - All Content feed for Numb

Numb Screening at Austin Film Festival

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 13:34:03 UTC

Numb will be making its regional premiere at the Austin Film Festival on Friday, October 12th. Director Harris Goldberg will be in attendance as the film is part of the festival's Marquee Screenings. Numb is in good company playing alongside Sidney Lumet's Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, Lars and the Real Girl starring Ryan Gosling and Reservation Road starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Connelly.

For more info on the screening and Austin Film Festival click here.

Numb released on DVD May 13th

Tue, 6 May 2008 10:41:46 UTC

LOS ANGELES, May 05, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) ----Four-time Emmy-nominated actor Matthew Perry, along with Academy Award(R: 71.35, +0.44, +0.62%)-winner Mary Steenburgen and actor/comedian Kevin Pollak, star in the romantic comedy "Numb," which will be released on DVD and digital May 13 by Image Entertainment (NASDAQ:DISK). In addition to the home entertainment and digital rights, Image also has secured the broadcast, pay-per-view and VOD rights to the film.

Writer/Director Harris Goldberg ("Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo") tells his tragically funny, autobiographical story through Hudson Milbank (Matthew Perry), a depressed screenwriter who is diagnosed with "depersonalization disorder," which is a sense that everything around him is unreal. Desperate to feel like himself again, Hudson seeks out every therapy imaginable, running the L.A. shrink circuit as he plummets further into the depths of hopelessness and detachment.

As he struggles to cope by watching the soothing Golf Channel, shoplifting to get a shot of adrenaline and surviving a cognitive behaviorist with her own issues (played brilliantly by Mary Steenburgen), Hudson's long suffering writing partner (Kevin Pollak, "A Few Good Men," "The Usual Suspects") fears they'll never work again. Things start to change when Hudson meets Sara (Lynn Collins, "The Lake House"), whose relaxed ways and big-hearted spirit make his race to recovery imperative. But even then his relationship becomes threatened by his powerlessness to take on life's risks as he seeks out more extreme measures to get better. He knows she can save him, and she knows he has to save himself.

DVD Review: Numb

Tue, 3 Jun 2008 17:50:28 UTC

Blog Critics has posted a review of Harris Goldberg's 'Numb'. Critic Rebecca Wright admits she was first interested in the film because of 'Friends' star Matthew Perry, but was surprised to see him playing such a different role.

"...the success of Numb rests squarely on the shoulders of Matthew Perry. Without his stunning ability to balance subtle humor with the depths of despair, the film would have been an unmitigated failure. By giving Hudson both neurotic and relaxed emotions — sometimes changing in mere seconds — combined with a vacant stare and not-completely-together appearance, Perry has created a believable and sympathetic character...."

Read the full review here.

DVD Review : Numb

Tue, 27 May 2008 17:30:42 UTC

DVD Town ahs reviewed the 'Numb' DVD. Directed by Harris Goldberd and staring Matthew Perry, the film tells the story of screenwriter Hudson Milbank, who suffers from acute depersonalization disorder.

"Perry brings an everyman quality to the part, a neurotic and relaxed feeling combined into one single person. Some beard scruff, thrown together clothes and a sometimes-vacant stare in his eyes bring the character together."

Read the full reviewe here.

Matthew Perry, Uncomfortably Numb

Tue, 1 May 2007 21:00:00 UTC

Michelle Orange of The Reeler has posted a review of Harris Goldberg's Numb. "Goldberg works in some really funny moments with Kevin Pollak as Hudson's writing partner" Click here to check it out.

Peace Arch Bags Canadian Distribution Rights on Four Insight Films

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:10:56 UTC

Numb will have it's North American theatrical release in the winter of 2008. Peace Arch Entertainment Group gained the distribution rights in a four picture deal with Insight Film Studios.

"We are delighted with the acquisition of these four films from Insight Film Studios," said Berry Meyerowitz, the president of Peace Arch Home Entertainment.

Read the full article here.

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Poster

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Helen Shaver

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Matthew Perry

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:51 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Alternate Poster

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Director and Cast

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Matthew Perry

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Behind the scenes still for Numb at MovieSet.com

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:57:50 UTC

Numb announced in Boston Film Festival Lineup

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 10:15:26 UTC

Boston Film Fest sets lineup The Hollywood Reporter has posted an article about the Boston Film Festival's lineup, which includes 'Numb', "Trade," and "Lars and the Real Girl." The festival runs September 14-21 Read the article here The Boston Film Festival Site

A film review by Christopher Null

Sun, 7 Dec 2008 00:00:00 UTC

Numb

Matthew Perry introduces us to yet another medical malady that apparently occurs only in the movies: After smoking too much pot, he becomes alienated from the outside world and even his own body and is diagnosed with "depersonalization disorder." The "numb" of the title refers to his utter lack of care about anything that happens around him, and he has to really work at trying to interact with other people.

Which makes the fact that Numb has a romance at its core all the stranger: Perry's Hudson is a high-power screenwriter and before long he's dating Sarah (Lynn Collins), a studio exec who is taken with him when Hudson and partner Tom (Kevin Pollak) drop by to pitch her a script. It's unclear why she's smitten by the nearly catatonic Hudson... though the way Perry plays it, Hudson seems to be able to come and go from his semi-coma at will.

Meanwhile, Hudson seeks treatment from every doctor and head shrink in L.A., which leads him to try every kind of pharmaceutical on the market and encounter all manner of strange docs. The film hits its most bizarre point when he hooks up with Mary Steenburgen, a psychiatrist who promptly lands in bed with him after Hudson bemoans alienating his girlfriend.

Hudson is pretty clearly a thinly-vieled analogue for writer/director Harris Goldberg (author of both Deuce Bigalow movies), and thank God he's moved up to a little more sophisticated story this time out. However, his movie ultimately lacks some much-needed depth, playing out like a series of scenes with one nutty doctor after another, many of which are filled with pat plot points (the shrink that falls asleep, the overprescription of pills).

Perry obviously chose this project in another attempt to distance himself from his sitcom persona (and possibly due to some sense memory from his own stint in rehab), but the result is mixed. Perry is fairly watchable -- as are the relatively limited number of scenes with Collins -- but the overall effect is muted. Will Hudson end up happy, with the girl, get cured? I'd be lying if I said I felt any less numb than Hudson by the end of the movie.

The DVD includes a commentary by Goldberg and a making-of featurette.

Director, Harris Goldberg

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Kevin Pollak

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:28 UTC

Numb Video

Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:13:27 UTC

Director's bad trip leads to depersonalization disorder

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:43:18 UTC

The Desert Sun has just posted an interview with 'Numb' director Harris Goldberg. He goes the circumstances led him to write the film and his casting choice.

"(Perry) wasn't my original choice," said Goldberg. "I was going for a dramatic actor, but he was so passionate."

Goldberg was at both screening of Numb at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Read the rest of the interview here.

Vancouver Shot Numb Set to Hit Big Screen

Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:00:00 UTC

Vancouver, B.C. Insight Studios is pleased to announce the spring 2007 release of its new feature, Numb, starring Matthew Perry (Friends, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip). The role marks a notable departure for the Ottawa-raised comedic actor, who plays a man so alienated from his own life that he makes the severely suicidal look downright sassy. Written and directed by Harris Goldberg, the Vancouver-shot comedy is jointly produced by Kirk Shaw, Mary Aloe and Paul Schiff. We thought this film would be a perfect vehicle for the comedic talents of Matthew Perry, says Kirk Shaw. And we were right: Perry is an absolute riot in this role. Numb tells the story of screenwriter Hudson Milbank, who suffers from an affliction called acute depersonalization disorder. As nutty as a peanut farm, he lives alone, watches the Golf Channel all day, shoplifts in order to jumpstart his adrenalin, despises his mother and is hopeless at relationships. He thinks his long catalogue of woeful romances is over when he meets the woman of his dreams, Sara. No stranger to quirks herself, the two attempt to save each other, with hilarious results. The movie also stars Oscar-winning actress Mary Steenburgen (Elf, Melvin and Howard), Lynn Collins (The Lake House and The Merchant of Venice, opposite Al Pacino), Kevin Pollak (Hostage, Casino) and Bob Gunton (Desperate Housewives, Pepper Dennis). With a talented cast on screen and a top-notch team behind the camera, Numb is well poised to be a critical and box office success, says Aloe. Incorporated in 1990, Insight Film Studios is Western Canada's fastest growing independent production company. It ranks as the region's single largest High-Definition television producer and as one of the top ten production companies in Canada. The company's client list includes all national Canadian networks, as well as ABC Family, WB Kids, Sony, PAX TV, NHK Japan, MTV, Lifetime, Discovery US, Cinetel, Blockbuster US, TFI France and Telecinco Spain. Headed by Mary Aloe, Proud Mary Entertainment, Inc., is a company dedicated to discovering and producing exceptional stories for television and theatrical release.

Reel Film Reviews - NUMB

Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 UTC

Numb casts Matthew Perry as Hudson, a struggling screenwriter who essentially wakes up one morning afflicted with acute depersonalization disorder - a condition that leaves Hudson feeling disconnected from reality and even his own body. After sinking into a depressive funk, Hudson finds himself falling for a perky development executive named Sarah (Lynn Collins) - although, not surprisingly, their fledgling relationship is inevitably threatened by Hudson's psychological problems. There's little doubt that Numb stands out as a refreshingly innovative spin on a contemporary romantic comedy, as writer/director Harris Goldberg infuses the film's primary relationship with a distinctly authentic vibe - something that stems primarily from Perry and Collins' undeniably charismatic work as the central characters (ie these two have genuine chemistry with one another). It's worth noting that the movie does suffer following their expected fake break-up (which unfortunately comes at the midway point), with the subsequent emphasis on Hudson's efforts at getting better essentially transforming Numb into an altogether different sort of film. And while there's plenty within the movie's second half that works - excluding Hudson's egregiously silly dalliance with an older psychiatrist (Mary Steenburgen's Cheryl) - there's simply no overlooking the fact that one's interest slowly-but-surely wanes once Collins' character exits the proceedings. Still, Numb generally succeeds as an intimate look at one man's struggle with mental illness - yet it remains virtually impossible not to wish that Goldberg had focused exclusively on Hudson and Sarah's surprisingly compelling coupling.

out of

Matthew Perry Premieres in Numb

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 21:00:00 UTC

The Huffington Post has posted an article about the premiere of Numb at the Tribeca film festival. Matthew Perry, Kevin Pollak and Harris Goldberg were in attendance for a Q&A session following the film. "The biggest laughs at the premiere of Numb came not from the movie, the story of a Hollywood writer played by Matthew Perry struggling with depersonalization disorder, but from the Q&A of the film's actors following the screening." Click here for the full article.

Harris Goldberg's Director's Statement

Fri, 6 Apr 2007 21:00:00 UTC

Harris Goldberg, writer and director of Numb, has released a statement about how his film came to fruition. Posted below, Harris goes into detail about his experience as a high concept studio comedy writer, his own encounter with depersonalization and how he felt coming out of the first test screening of the film. Director's Statement by Harris Goldberg I completed the screenplay for Numb� in the winter of 2006. A year later the film was completed. At first I was apprehensive due to the autobiographical nature of the story, fearful it may be seen as self indulgent or worse, too revealing. After our first test screening I found myself in an elevator going down to the parking garage with audience members who had no idea I had anything to do with the thing. I was amazed as they began quoting lines, how the ailment afflicting Hudson, the main character, tapped into their own feelings, fears and what was happening to them on some level. I couldn't believe it. I had written and directed something personal that had somehow, someway resonated with the general public. I felt like a hundred dollars. Before Numb� I was considered a high concept, studio comedy writer. Little did I know during those years of delivering broad films with big set pieces to score that high, double digit opening weekend, my mind was getting ready for something I never could have predicted. The prediction came true on the night of February 14, 1991 where I hit a wall so bizarre, so strange, so painful that I'd wonder if I'd ever make it out again. It took years of silent suffering before I had the wherewithal to write what was happening to me. I called it Numb� because that's exactly how I felt. Numb to everything around me. Including myself. No one ever knew. No one could ever tell. I bravely hide this mysterious malady through sheer will power as my world closed in on me. As Hudson describes in the film, the psychological definition of this condition was called Depersonalization:� The feeling that everything around me appeared unreal, as if living in some kind of hellish dreamlike state. I was convinced these symptoms were triggered by smoking a single joint on that fateful February evening. That the massive intake of THC had somehow altered my brain to a place it could never recover. If this were the case I would forever blame myself for permanently shifting my life through one act of stupidity. If it wasn't, then I hoped maybe there could be some way back to normal. It was also at this time that I met a girl. A great girl. I'm talking soul mate material. I hid my condition from her too. I knew, if I really wanted this to work, I would have to heal thyself and heal it fast. This took me on journey into the mental health profession to the tune of $150,000. I saw every psychiatrist, psychologist, cognitive behaviorist, researcher and college professor, leaving no stone unturned as doctor after doctor tried to explain my chronic, unending spacey nightmare on extreme anxiety, depression, genetics or a combination of all three. It was through these travels, and the writing of the screenplay, that I finally came to understand myself on a level I never would have reached before the event. As the script circulated around town, instead of people saying, Hey cool story, they would pull me aside, call me at night, send worried e-mails of their own secret experiences with detachment, anxiety and panic. What I thought was something that could only happen to me soon became a subject I realized was happening to more people than I could have imagined; people overwhelmed by the times we were living, fueled by their lack of security, fear of their future, feelings of being Numb. This is that movie.

'Numb' a warm look at a seriously disturbed guy

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:07:08 UTC

The Norman Script has posted a review of the 'Numb' DVD. Directed by Harris Goldberg, the film stars Matthew Perry as a writer struggling with depersonalization disorder. The review praises Perry for his performance.

"He gives a performance unlike any I'd seen from him in the past, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. He rarely smiles or cracks a joke, instead showing a much more introspective and versatile side of his acting chops."

Read the full review here.

Numb - Clip #1

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 22:42:57 UTC