CLEMENTINE'S REVIEWS

20th June 2009
Yes Man (2008)

Director: Peyton Reed

Writers: Nicholas Stoller, Jarrad Paul & Andrew Mogel (screenplay), Danny Wallace (book)

Starring: Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper, Rhys Darby, Danny Masterson, Terence Stamp

Carrey is Carl Allen, a run-of-the-mill loan officer. He is so locked into his own comfort zone his life is limited to watching DVDs at home and avoiding his friends who tirelessly encourage him to socialise. Carl has been burnt by his short lived marriage and is unexcited by anything life has to offer. Ah, this man is on the verge of change, I can feel it!

Lo and behold, Carl bumps into an old friend whose life has dramatically changed due to his commitment to 'Yes Man', a philosophy involving saying yes to every opportunity. After Carl misses his best friend's engagement party, his vision of a lonely future spurs him to attend a 'Yes Man' seminar. The charismatic leader, Terrence (Stamp), coerces Carl into a covenant to say yes to everything that presents itself to him, otherwise bad things will happen.

It's not smooth sailing for Carl who is used to saying no without giving things much consideration. His first effort seems to end quite badly until he encounters the disarmingly lovely Allison (Deschanel) and Carl is enlightened by the serendipitous event. Soon he begins to loosen up and finds himself leaping into every window of opportunity.

Jim Carrey has always been excellent in both extreme slapstick and drama. In this role he does a nice median of the spectrum. A couple of scenes really pushed the silly button, but I found myself slapping my thigh a few times. I do enjoy his dramatic turns, and he has proven himself to be quite the leading man in romance. Carrey and Deschanel's natural fun and playfulness work very well together. Deschanel is naturally gorgeous as a whole package, her personality as luminous as always. Again she gets to showcase her beautiful voice.

This is definitely a middle brow film, nothing incredibly clever but is genuinely an entertaining film with an insightful message about choosing to participate in life. It has some really simple but important things to say, and it says it with good humour and honesty. I was smiling from start to finish.

You'll probably like this - if you enjoy the comic stylings of Jim Carrey and the fabulous Terence Stamp.

You'll probably not like this - if you don't see the point of leaving your comfort zone.

Read Alaris' review of Yes Man (2008).