Review: Yes Man
Canadian Funnyman Jim Carrey Returns to Comic Genre
Yes Man Synopsis
Carl Allen (Carrey) is a loan banker down on his luck, whose current negative attitude stems from a combination of unfortunate events; he is stuck in a rut at work, being passed over for a promotion, is divorced from a beautiful woman (Molly Sims) he still hasn't been able to let go of, and he spends his nights watching TV until the morning light. Every time his buddies approach him for a social engagement, he always finds a way to say no, worming his way out of commitments, so to commiserate in peace.
During lunch one afternoon, Carl runs into an old friend (John Michael Higgins), who coaxes him into attending a positivity seminar hosted by an intense, larger than life motivator, named Terrence (played by Terence Stamp). During this seminar, he learns of the YES potential, and how accepting new opportunities can open many doors never before available in someone's life.
And so, having very little to lose, Carl decides to start saying yes -- to everything -- and slowly becomes paranoid of whatever bad karma may come back to affect him, should he be tempted to say no.
Throughout this journey, he encounters the lovely free spirited Allison (Zooey Deschanel), who is more than willing to embrace Carl's new joie de vivre, and willingness to say yes to pretty much anything.
Yes Man Overall Analysis
While trailers aired for this movie in recent months, the overall feel for this flick, was that it was going to be in the vein of Liar, Liar, putting Jim Carrey in a situation where his social interactions are suddenly thrown into dissaray, by having no control over sudden behavioral changes. Whereas he was literally unable to lie in the aforementioned movie, the setting here differs somewhat.
Director Peyton Reed allows Carrey to act out some pretty funny visual gags, but overall this isn't your older brother's Jim Carrey. At 46, he is a bit more mellow, and is slowly learning to mix humor with more tender and dramatic scenes, something he's been doing in both extremes in recent times.
The premise is well conceived, and brings forth a broad message of openmindedness. Whereas Carl starts the film off as a negative, depressed, and morose character, the influx of good fortune brought on by his overwillingness to embrae everything, is a welcome breath of fresh air.
Zooey Deschanel is very sweet as singer/teacher Allison, and she has great chemistry opposite Carrey, also something we did not get to see much in his past romantic roles. Alias alum Bradley Cooper plays straight man to Carrey's goofy hyperactive Carl, as Peter, his best friend soon to be getting married.
Look for some unforgettable comedic scenes, co-starring Irish stage veteran Fionnula Flanagan as Tillie, Carl's frisky elderly neighbor.
Overall, Yes Man is about living life to the fullest (yet responsibly), and accepting that sometimes things might not work out, but there is plenty out there to do and enjoy, so why not take things with a smile?
8 out of 10 for a fun bit of the old Carrey, while not being as good as his previous works
Yes Man Poster
|
More in Film & TV
Latest Articles