Yes Man (2008)

Review:

So Nick (John Michael Higgins) convinces Carl (Jim Carrey) to come to a Yes Seminar and by the end of it Carl has committed to saying ‘yes’ to everything that comes his way. If a homeless man asks for a ride somewhere – yes. If a homeless man asks to use your cell phone – yes. If a homeless man asks for all your money – yes. If the little old lady next door offers coital payment… – yes.

Carl needs this. His life has been a three year long no-binge since his wife left him. He avoids his friends and stays in and watches movies all the time. Conveniently, he is a loan clerk at a bank, a job that thrives on saying ‘no.’ But when ‘yes’ is added as the exclusive response, watch out! Hilarity will ensue.

“Yes Man” is a film I think I was predisposed to like. It can be seen as a bridge between Carey’s zany and serious films (for that matter, ‘Liar, Liar’ (1996) can also be viewed this way). I’d be more inclined to be down on the predictable romantic developments in the film but Zooey Deschanel as love interest Allison is so enjoyable to behold. One of the highlights of ‘Yes Man’ is her live performance with the band ‘Munchausen by Proxy,’ a band who’s outfits include headdresses that look like sea horses. I would love to go to a rock show like that.

Anyways, because Jim Carey decides to say yes to everything, he is forced into a bunch of humorous situations like a drunken bar fight, a Harry Potter costume party, and a photography-while-jogging class. Could the movie have dug deeper for a more complicated situational comedy? Yes. Could the inevitable romantic crisis at the beginning of act III have been more original? Yes. Could the writers and director have extracted a more profound message on how to live life? Yes. Could this have been a better film? Yes.

But the movie made me laugh and so it goes.

Rating:

On a scale of one to Casablanca this film is a “Easy Money” (1983)

Rationalization:

Watching Jim Carey, like watching Rodney Dangerfield, is like putting on a really comfortable, old shoe. You generally know what’s coming but you know you’ll be amused. Sure, I’d say “Liar, Liar” is a better movie than “Yes Man” just like “Back to School” is a better movie than “Easy Money” but in some respects comparing these movies is like splitting hairs. What you see is what you get and what you get is pretty entertaining. So, if you can’t say ‘yes’ to this movie you might want to say ‘why not?’