12.20.08
Review: Yes Man
Chick 1 says:
I like Jim Carrey. I think he’s both funny & he can act. He’s proved himself in movies like Ace Ventura, The Truman Show, Bruce Almighty, & one of my favorites, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. But he’s also put out quite a few mediocre projects and Yes Man, about a man who is challenged to say “yes” to every opportunity, looked like it might just be Jim Carrey Comedy #48. So I went with limited expectations.
What I Liked: First rule of comedies: Be Funny. And it was. Early in the movie I found myself getting really tickled and I laughed quite a bit throughout the whole picture. I really liked the characters in this picture. Carl, Carrey’s character, was a good guy. Definitely isolated and in need of a life change but as he grew his kindness really came out, even when things were going badly. Carrey’s performance was solid. In a couple of dramatic spots I expected him to pull out his sad puppy dog face but he kept himself reined in. Zooey Deschanel is always watchable & quirky & here she was at her most adorable (shotgun scene, that’s all I’m saying). And the rest of the supporting cast are great as well, creating people I would actually like to know.
On a personal note, Wendy & I related to some elements of the movie through personal experience. Not only are we both Harry Potter geeks (have I said too much?), but we have also been to a few over-hyped, drink-the-koolaid conferences (Xango, Millionaire Mind, anyone?). Needless to say, we found the reality of the Yes conference quite convincing.
What I Didn’t Like: While there were plenty of laughs there were also some dry spots. Can’t say the laughs were spread throughout the whole picture. There was one fairly gross scene I could have done without (you’ll know when you get there). And through the whole story I suspected the romance was leading to the standard Mad Dash or Grand Gesture ploy to resolve & sure enough, they used a combo of both. I’m all for the happy climatic ending but we’ve really gotta come up with another way to end romatic comedies.
Bottom Line: Good for some laughs & a sweet story. Worth matinee admission. Full price if you’re a Jim Carrey or Zooey Deschanel fan.
Chick 2 says:
What looked like it was going to be yet another vehicle for Jim Carrey’s cartoon like face turned out to be a slightly inspiring, very entertaining movie. Carrey’s Carl has had his share of recent heartache and has subsequently withdrawn from life. An old acquaintance dares him to take a chance on the “Yes” philosophy and agree to any proposition presented to him. Carl soon learns to become open to new possibilities and sees that life is here to be lived. His first night on the Yes system he happens upon Allison, played by Zooey Deschanel, who already seems to be on her own open-minded, say yes, path through life. The usual romantic comedy ensues, but along the way it instills in you a desire to embrace a positive spin on life and live it to the fullest. It also keeps you laughing, with a very accurate scene involving a self-help seminar, Allison’s obvious first time with a shotgun, and Carl’s quirky but loveable boss Norman.
IF you want lots of laughs and a positive outlook, THEN GO.