Yes Man: Review By MovieBuff

Ever since 2003‘s Bruce Almighty, Jim Carrey had been in a slump with his movies. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lemony Snicket‘s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Fun With Dick and Jane, and The Number 23 were all disappointments in my opinion. Although Horton Hears a Who was a huge success, Carrey only loaned his voice to the movie… not his presence. Yes Man, however, may be the movie that breathes life back into Carrey‘s career.

Yes Man introduces us to Carl Allen (Jim Carrey), a man who has been stuck in a dull life ever since his previous girlfriend left him… which is going on three years. His best friend Peter (Bradley Cooper) tries to draw him back into life, but Carl says no to every invitation he gets preferring to remain a hermit. When he accidentally forgets Peter's engagement party Carl realizes he needs a dramatic change. He signs up for a Yes Man seminar by philosophy guru Terrence Bundley (Terrence Stamp) and embraces life by saying “yes” to every offer that falls upon him. Guitar lessons, flying lessons, mail order brides, even a penis enlargement: Carl says “yes“ to all of them. Soon after, Carl’s life DOES get better. Carl not only gets a promotion, he also meets the cute and charming Allison (Zooey Deschanel), a care free woman who sings in a band and likes to take blurry action pictures. The two fall in love, but what happens when Allison finds out about Carl’s “Yes Man” way of life? Will she think they‘re together only because he has to say “yes“ or because he REALLY loves her?

My interest in this movie began when I first saw the trailer a few months ago. Though I originally thought it was similar to Liar Liar, I was intrigued by the premise of saying “yes“ to everything that would come ones way. Let's face it: there's some truth to the fact that only a “yes” will open up new opportunities in life. I can safely say I was not disappointed with this film. Although it was not funny throughout, it had plenty of laughable scenes and Jim Carrey is at his comedic best. Its not a movie that will make you laugh hysterically, but it WILL make you laugh.

Jim Carrey fans have no reason to fret because Yes Man delivers the goods. The story is safe and predictable, but Carrey clearly carries the movie. He does get help from a strong supporting cast though that includes Terrence Stamp (Superman II) as the Yes man guru, Bradley Cooper (Wedding Crashers) as Carl’s best friend and lawyer and Zooey Deschanel (The Happening) as Carl’s love interest Allison. Stamp plays the guru fantastically. Cooper is actually likeable in this film compared to the hatred one feels toward him in Wedding Crashers. As far as Deschanel goes, one can't help but fall for her character in this movie. She's cute, strange, and charming all at once.

John Michael Higgins has a brief role in the movie and plays it just as wacky as his role in The Breakup. Remember when he kick the crap out of Vince Vaughn’s character in that movie while singing Owners of A Lonely Heart? Classic. Well, he has a brief but wacky role in this movie also. Too short in my opinion. Danny Masterson (Steven in That 70’s Show) is forgettable. He has a few lines but is never really funny. I guess he’s still looking for his breakout role. Newcomer to the big screen, Rhys Darby does a fantastic job as Carl’s wannabe friend who one can’t help but feel sorry for. The guy is a major geek.

Peyton Reed does a fine job with the pace of the movie. He mixes laughter with emotion in many scenes but seems to know when each one is appropriate. The movie is at just about the right length at 104 minutes as it never bores you. Either something funny or something emotional is going on.

Is "Yes Man" hysterically funny? No. Is it terribly romantic? No. Is it going to give you your money‘s worth? Well, I don't know,… maybe. I believe that would be up to you. But does it mark the beginning of a comeback for a comic who will do anything for a laugh? Yes. Do I recommend it? Absolutely YES MAN!