Plot A Carl Allen (Carrey) is going nowhere, his mantra being the word ‘no’ until he signs up for a self-help programme with a simple covenant: say ‘yes’ to everything. It changes his life, but his zeal starts to work against him.
Review
Though Jim Carrey has toned down the physical characteristics that once made him famous, at a lean-framed 46 he still shows himself capable of going over a parked car and coming up off the floor as if he’s on fire with considerable aplomb in this adaptation of Danny Wallace’s bestselling book. The idea that you say yes to everything — spam emails, the religious crusaders at your front door, torrid sex with your elderly neighbour — is a neat device, and by all accounts almost did for Wallace, but it appears to have paid off handsomely for him since, so perhaps it does work? It works for Carrey’s character, too; initially that is. After attending a furiously overblown seminar hosted by the charismatic Terrence Bundley (Terence Stamp stomping flat-footed through his part the way Britney Spears now thumps across the stage), he embraces positivity and, lo and behold, everything changes for the better.
Unfortunately, the film’s initial promise dissipates soon after Allen’s life changes, as he begins dating the indomitably quirky and impossibly pretty Allison (a button-nosed Zooey Deschanel — open the dictionary, look up the word ‘kooky’ and you’ll find a photo of her there) and bonds with his boss, Norm — played by Flight Of The Conchords’ Rhys Darby, who almost steals the film with his charmingly gormless performance.
Allen takes life at full tilt, even heroically saving a suicide case at one point, and in doing so proves that positivism really does promote positivity. But after one particularly dreadful, clunking plot twist, which we must assume it took three writers to conjure up, his life — and the movie — begins to unravel like an old jumper.
Soon we’re in familiar Hollywood and Carrey territory: you have the final act to win the girl and save the day and yourself. It’s all freewheeling from there (there’s even a ‘wacky’ Carrey out of control on a motorbike sequence), and it’s so much the duller for it. Inevitably, Allen eventually discovers himself and even gets to rebuff the wife who initially broke his heart — just in case you’d missed the point that he was the victim and the good guy, and needed it nailed into your forehead.
Verdict It’s charming enough with some nice comedy touches, but the initially intriguing premise is soon railroaded out of sight by its desire to conform to a tried-and-tested cinematic formula.
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Average user rating for Yes Man
noooo man
this movie is absolutely terrible. yes jim carey was funny in fun with dick and jane and liar liar but now he has just taken it over the top. he has pushed his luck too long and now he has hit rock bottom.
the only thing thayt kept me watching this rubbish was the hot chick that plays carey girl friend who is old enough to be his daughter. THIS FILM DEFINES THE WORD TURKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read More
Jim Carrey doing things we know from him, including all his crazy faces that we have seen so many times before throughout his carreer. The story is so predictable right from the get-go that even a blind man can see where it`s going.
There are a few funny things in there but it never produces more than a big smile. Also the fact that the moral of the story being pushed so obviously breaks down the pleasure of watching. Make sure you got a puke bucket sitting next to your chair at the end.
It`s ... Read More
Hilarious in places, amusing in others, and generally heart warming.
Jim Carrey is on fine form; he never seems to grow up!
Zooey Deschanel melts the heart with her cute little looks and strange antics.
Highly enjoyable. ... Read More
Its high concept plot makes for some well-conceived laughs, but it frequently degenerates into American comedy 101. Still, it’s very watchable, even if Carrey grinds your gears. ... Read More
This film I did actully see twice in the cinema. It was ok and did have alot of funny moments in it. My personal opinion is that Yes man could have been alot better. The film took a bit to long to get in to the storey line and even when it got there, there was no real plot. My advise is just wait for the DVD. ... Read More
It's an absolute let-down, The crapiest Jim Carrey flick I've seen so far, Ok, to Jim but the rest was just godaweful. Bad acting, annoying dialogues and very very little fun. This film's a big yawn. ... Read More
all this film has done is taken the concept from danny wallaces brilliant book and made a dumb, stupid and unfunny jim carrey comedy with no relation to the book whatsoever. I am shocked wallace agreed to this it is a utter rip off from the book and should have been a small british film with wallace playing himself and actually doing the things which are in the book sure it wont have been as mainstream or maybe as made as much money but it would have been better than this. If you havent read the... Read More
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