Yes Man Movie Review

Yes Man

Movie Review

Yes We Can. Three simple words that seem to have given hope to not just the United States, but the world, in what is a globally dark time. However, the sentiment is uniquely North American; the idea that hard work and determination can get anyone where they want to go. And the release of the latest Jim Carrey vehicle, Yes Man, whether intentional or not, has coincided with the current recentering on this most American of ideals.

We meet Carrey's character Carl three years after an emotionally messy divorce. He's stuck in a rut; no advancement in his job, lingering feelings for an ex-wife who has long since moved on and an unwillingness to socialise. He meets a former colleague who persuades him to attend a self-help seminar, where he is further persuaded to say yes to every choice he is presented with for one year.

Although the movie is above average for a Carrey outing, it still suffers from some basic problems, the biggest of which is that it doesn't feel fully formed. The comedy flows once Carrey embarks on his year of yes, but clunky exposition and unfunny dialogue combine to write off nearly the whole of the first act.

Another mistake, in my opinion, is the early introduction of Zooey Deschanel. Carrey hits the motherload when he meets her almost immediately after submitting to saying yes, and even though she disappears for a while after, you know she'll be back eventually. Her quirky Allison is shown to be just what Carl needs, which locks down the ending pretty quickly at a point when the film should have felt more unpredictable.

That aside, Carrey and Deschanel are a good on screen match. It may have just been good acting, but their scenes together gave me the sense that the actors, not just their characters, enjoyed each others company. Rhys Darby, recognisable from his role in Flight of the Conchords, gives a funny variation on his Murray character. Danny Masterson may have been inadvertently cast as Hyde, his "That 70's Show" character again. Luis Guzman also pops up to show why he should be cast in larger comedic roles.

A final criticism is the tone of the scenes in which Carl flirts with Allison. Although for the most part fine, Carrey does occasionally come across as a mental defective who should end up with a face full of mace, rather than a goodnight kiss for his troubles. Despite this, the film bounces along well towards its funny if slightly preposterous ending. Wait for the DVD before saying yes to this one.

6/10