Numb

Reviewer:
Danielle Richards

Genre:
Comedy

Movies/TV Shows:
Movie

Suggested Age Range:
Adults Only

Age Range Explained:
There are adult themes portrayed

Subject Headings:
Mental disorder

Review:
The 2007 film, Numb, is the autobiographical account of screenwriter Harris Goldberg. Goldberg and the protagonist of the story, suffer from depersonalization disorder. We follow Hudson’s journey as he frantically searches to gain some comprehension of what he is experiencing and to find a cure for himself. Hudson feels disconnected from life, living in what he refers to as "some horrific perpetual dream state." Numb has been called both a dark-indie-comedy film and a drama film. The portrayal of the therapists Hudson encounters in the movie is comedic.

The accuracy of the depiction of Depersonalization Disorder is debatable. However, what I find to be so valuable about this movie is the glimpse it offers into another human being's subjective experience of the world. The depiction of the isolation, fear and frustration that Hudson deals with is insightful. How acutely debilitating it can be to search for answers about one’s own condition is intriguing and authentically portrayed. I recommend this movie for counselors-in-training who want a glimpse into how baffling it can be for a client to explore treatment options and find an effective intervention, while simultaneously experiencing a disturbing state of mind. The difficult and disorientating issues Hudson faces provide viewers with a poignant look into the confusion a client can sometimes feel when attempting to understand a diagnosis. This movie also can be used to demonstrate the importance of accurate and substantive empathy and provide a forum to discuss the ethical issue of client autonomy.