CINEMA: Numb

It seems there is life after Friends for the actors involved, as Matthew Perry (Chandler) turns up in this quirky little offering, which has its moments – just not enough of them. He plays Hudson, a troubled scriptwriter who makes his mental problems ten times worse by speed-smoking extra-strong dope. Rather than this leading to an emotional breakthrough it leaves him with ‘depersonalisation’ disorder – he simply doesn’t feel anything. We follow Hudson as he wanders around LA in this numb state, seeking help from a really rather unstable psychiatrist (Mary Steenburgen), and almost – but not quite – connecting with Sara (Lynn Collins), who could possibly offer him salvation, it’s just he’s too unconnected to know it.

At times writer/director Harris Goldberg belabours the quirkiness of the movie, especially in the indie soundtrack, which is too loud and too intrusive, but Perry makes a good job of communicating an emotion that simply isn’t there, while rising star Lynn Collins (catch her in the upcoming Wolverine) lights up every scene she is in.    Dee Pilgrim