If you think about it, the story really isn't reasonable...
Added 10/27/2009
I recently re-watched this film on cable after having watched it when it was released on DVD initially. The film is mildly enjoyable, but with a film like this it has to be driven by a strong storyline. There is no "mystery" here, we know who the killers are towards the outset of the film. The mystery simply is how the killers got away with the murder in what seems like a solid alibi. I don't have any problem with that part of the story. And the acting by everyone except Sandra Bullock was good - this is not her best role to be sure. The kid that played the rich, arrogant one (Ryan Gosling) was very believable in that role. In other words, it probably wasn't too difficult to go from being a spoiled child actor to playing a spoiled rich kid on film. LOL
The problem with the storyline is that we see these kids constantly talking with each other in "secret meeting places" and on their phones. In the real world, there was enough circumstantial evidence that the police would have obtained a court order and had a wire tap on the phones and police would have had these guys under surveillance from early on. These kids relationship was supposed to be kept a secret so that no one would know they did the murder together, yet we see them out in the open in broad daylight. And they talked about the murder over the phone - police would have been listening and that would have been the evidence they needed, they wouldn't have needed to figure out the rest of the details. They tried to cover this plot hole by suggesting that the families were too rich and powerful and the police didn't want to upset them, but this is also BS. The police could have obtained a search warrant from a judge, put the kids under surveillance and the parents probably would have never even known about it. Phone taps would have been sufficient.
Plus, haven't we seen this story 15,000 times already? The "intelligent" killers that are going to outsmart the police, and they would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for that meddling detective with something to prove! *yawn*
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Creepily good
Added 8/3/2009
Since I tend to steer away from thrillers in general, I am not likely to say I've seen this plot before, which appears to be the major criticism provided by most of the posters. My spouse is a huge SB fan, and we are catching up on her movies that we somehow missed, or those we want to see again. Bullock is convincing and riveting as a damaged cop. The two young boys are absolutely chilling. Ben Chaplin is adequate. My major problem is with the police department's eagerness to wrap up the case, and the way Cassie's boss treats her when she is not satisfied with the way the case is initially closed. If she is so bad at her job that her boss won't even recognize her instincts, why does he even keep her on the force? I found his treatment to be demeaning and unrealistic. Other than that, this was a fine Bullock movie (certainly better than most of her "serious" efforts), and I would call it a worthy addition to the genre.
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Uninspired By The Numbers Thriller
Added 6/20/2009
Sandra Bullock has made too many romantic comedies to be truly believable as homicide detective Cassie Mayweather. Cassie is haunted by her past, which includes domestic abuse, so she attempts to escape from her pain by drinking heavily and sleeping with her new partners. Being a survivor herself she's relentless when it comes to tracking down men who prey on vulnerable women. Two such men, Jason (Michael Pitt) and Richard (Ryan Gosling), are attempting to pull off the perfect murder. They are determined to get away with it and show off their intellectual superiority in the process. When the body of a female washes ashore Cassie begins her investigation and it doesn't take long for her to cross paths with the two young men. Pretty much all the plot "twists" are predictable but there is one last minute surprise that proves effective. Bullock doesn't look or act too good here. The best performances are those of Pitt and especially Gosling. This film is another variation on the Leopold and Loeb murders that inspired films like 'Compulsion' and 'Rope'. Unfortunately Jimmy Stewart isn't on hand to solve the murder and wrap things up. It's an okay watch, but only recommended for fans of Gosling or Pitt.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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The perfect crime. The less-than-perfect crime investigator.
Added 6/15/2009
Based in part on the Leopold and Loeb case, in MURDER BY NUMBERS two brilliant but bored high schoolers (rich kids both) try to commit the perfect homicide. After the deed's done, they follow the "numbers" by setting up their school janitor/weed dealer to take the rap.
Detective Cassie 'the Hyena' Mayweather (Bullock) and her newly-transferred from "vice" partner Sam Kennedy (Chaplin) are assigned the case. The several false clues planted by Richard (Gosling) and Justin (Pitt) clearly point at suspect Ray Feathers (Penn), but for Cassie there's something not quite right here.
A past relationship with Asst. D.A. Al Swanson (Verica) has given Cassie an attitude problem. Despite some romantic dallying with Sam, she's at odds over the investigation with both him and their boss, Capt. Cody (Call).
Related item:
Sandra Bullock produced and appeared in the comic crime caper GUN SHY (1999). This overlooked gem stars Liam Neeson as a shell-shocked undercover narcotics agent who just wants "the ocean view." Oliver Platt co-stars as a disaffected mob goon who'd rather grow tomatoes in Sicily.
Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 viewer poll rating found at a film resource website.
(5.9) Murder By Numbers (2002) - Sandra Bullock/Ben Chaplin/Ryan Gosling/Michael Pitt/Agnes Bruckner/Chris Penn/R.D. Call/Tom Verica
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Disappointed
Added 8/8/2008
I was disappointed because this was supposed to be a new movie and I expected it to be packaged that way. It was not. It did come sooner than expected, however.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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If you think about it, the story really isn't reasonable...
Added 10/27/2009
I recently re-watched this film on cable after having watched it when it was released on DVD initially. The film is mildly enjoyable, but with a film like this it has to be driven by a strong storyline. There is no "mystery" here, we know who the killers are towards the outset of the film. The mystery simply is how the killers got away with the murder in what seems like a solid alibi. I don't have any problem with that part of the story. And the acting by everyone except Sandra Bullock was good - this is not her best role to be sure. The kid that played the rich, arrogant one (Ryan Gosling) was very believable in that role. In other words, it probably wasn't too difficult to go from being a spoiled child actor to playing a spoiled rich kid on film. LOL
The problem with the storyline is that we see these kids constantly talking with each other in "secret meeting places" and on their phones. In the real world, there was enough circumstantial evidence that the police would have obtained a court order and had a wire tap on the phones and police would have had these guys under surveillance from early on. These kids relationship was supposed to be kept a secret so that no one would know they did the murder together, yet we see them out in the open in broad daylight. And they talked about the murder over the phone - police would have been listening and that would have been the evidence they needed, they wouldn't have needed to figure out the rest of the details. They tried to cover this plot hole by suggesting that the families were too rich and powerful and the police didn't want to upset them, but this is also BS. The police could have obtained a search warrant from a judge, put the kids under surveillance and the parents probably would have never even known about it. Phone taps would have been sufficient.
Plus, haven't we seen this story 15,000 times already? The "intelligent" killers that are going to outsmart the police, and they would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for that meddling detective with something to prove! *yawn*
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Creepily good
Added 8/3/2009
Since I tend to steer away from thrillers in general, I am not likely to say I've seen this plot before, which appears to be the major criticism provided by most of the posters. My spouse is a huge SB fan, and we are catching up on her movies that we somehow missed, or those we want to see again. Bullock is convincing and riveting as a damaged cop. The two young boys are absolutely chilling. Ben Chaplin is adequate. My major problem is with the police department's eagerness to wrap up the case, and the way Cassie's boss treats her when she is not satisfied with the way the case is initially closed. If she is so bad at her job that her boss won't even recognize her instincts, why does he even keep her on the force? I found his treatment to be demeaning and unrealistic. Other than that, this was a fine Bullock movie (certainly better than most of her "serious" efforts), and I would call it a worthy addition to the genre.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Uninspired By The Numbers Thriller
Added 6/20/2009
Sandra Bullock has made too many romantic comedies to be truly believable as homicide detective Cassie Mayweather. Cassie is haunted by her past, which includes domestic abuse, so she attempts to escape from her pain by drinking heavily and sleeping with her new partners. Being a survivor herself she's relentless when it comes to tracking down men who prey on vulnerable women. Two such men, Jason (Michael Pitt) and Richard (Ryan Gosling), are attempting to pull off the perfect murder. They are determined to get away with it and show off their intellectual superiority in the process. When the body of a female washes ashore Cassie begins her investigation and it doesn't take long for her to cross paths with the two young men. Pretty much all the plot "twists" are predictable but there is one last minute surprise that proves effective. Bullock doesn't look or act too good here. The best performances are those of Pitt and especially Gosling. This film is another variation on the Leopold and Loeb murders that inspired films like 'Compulsion' and 'Rope'. Unfortunately Jimmy Stewart isn't on hand to solve the murder and wrap things up. It's an okay watch, but only recommended for fans of Gosling or Pitt.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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